PMAN Crisis Deepens Over Embezzlement

Dele Abiodun

Dele Abiodun

The crisis rocking the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria, PMAN, has further deepened with the amendment of criminal charges at Igbosere Magistrate’s Court against the former executive of the association.

The former president, Admiral Dele Abiodun and two members of his executive, Idowu Akinnehin and Kunle Ponnle, were arraigned before the court for allegedly defrauding and stealing the union’s N16 million under false pretence.

Dele Abiodun

They were allegedly arraigned for the offence by the police from Special Fraud Unit, SFU, Lagos State, Southwest Nigeria.

Although they had pleaded not guilty and were granted bail by the presiding magistrate, Mrs. F. O. Aigbokhaevbo, the charges against them were amended when the matter came up again yesterday.

P.M.NEWS gathered that the amendment of the charges was after the peace deal between the warring factions failed.

It was learnt that the factions refused to shift ground when some elders attempted to settle the rift. They now resorted to court option to decide the matter.

The defendants were charged to court on a seven-count charge of fraud and stealing under Section 419 and 390 of the Criminal Code, 2003.

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They were alleged to have collected N9 million from Nigerian Breweries Plc and N6 million from Osun State government respectively on behalf of PMAN and converted the money for their personal use and since then, they have refused to render account to the association.

When the matter came up at the court, the prosecutor, Sergeant Osijale informed the court that the police wanted to amend the charges.

Subsequently, the court granted the prayer and the new charges were read to them and they pleaded not guilty.

They were granted bail in the sum of N1 million with two sureties in like sum.

The case has been adjourned till 4 October, 2011 for trial.

—Cyriacus Izuekwe

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