Contrary to the position advanced by embattled COSON chairman Tony Okoroji at the clandestine AGM yesterday where he denied being arrested on fraud allegations, Tony Okoroji was spotted today at Force Hq, Zone 5 in Benin, accompanied by his lawyer in what looked like obvious compliance with the summon issued at the point of his arrest on Monday.
Okoroji it was gathered, pleaded to be released on medical grounds promising to honour police summon on Wednesday without fail.
Industry watchers wondered why why the claim of failing health did not stop him from chairing the ‘sham AGM’ where members and even ex-directors were denied entry and physical participation based on spurious COVID-19 considerations that was selectively applied to accommodate only his avowed supporters, Okoroji could not but make himself available to police for questioning today.
Industry players are however, wary of the conduct of the police in the long drawn battle for the soul of collective management in Nigeria. Up until now, the police it is believed has actively protected the embattled chairman from answering to numerous claims of criminal infractions by members of the collective management organisation. COSON had in its annual audited account declared expenditure in excess of N30,000,000.00 on security for 2018 alone – the police believed to be the primary beneficiary of that largesse.
Additional report suggests the emergency withdrawal of a whopping sum from the COSON account to facilitate further security protection and Okoroji’s medical expenses on a forthcoming trip abroad.
If the police fail to thoroughly investigate these claims and take necessary action in good time, the institution would have effectively aided and abetted the denigration of the collective management system in Nigeria and the promotion of criminal conduct in the society.
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