Entertainment
Battle Royal As COSON’s Crisis Deepens
That all is not well with the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) is stating the obvious as things have fallen apart in the entertainment society following accusations of deceit, high handed, manipulations and incompetence against the leadership of the body, led by Chief Tony Okoroji on one side and Efe Omorogbe on the other side.
In 2010, the Copyright Society of Nigeria was born with the aim of negotiating, granting copyright licences and collecting royalties, distributing same to copy- right owners and curbing the bitting case of piracy that has plagued the Nigerian music industry. Prior to its set up, there were multiple music bodies including the Nigeria Copyright Council, Music Collective Society of Nigeria (MCSN) and the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PIMAN) who had promised to represent the interest of creators (musicians).
Their failure to deliver on these promises led to the call for a singular body/Collective Management Organisation (CMO), as a result. The following organisations, WASPAN, MCSN and COSON joined to become the sole body that represents Nigerian musicians, but COSON backed with the support of other national associations, including PMAN won the battle and was fully licensed to collect royaltics and other rights on behalf of Nigerian artistes.
Almost eight years since operations kicked off, one cannot make a boast of COSON’s stability as it has been faced with unending crisis and more recently is the seeming power tussle between different factions within the body. It all came to the knowledge of the public on December 7th 2017 when COSON announced after an emergency board meeting that Okoroji had been rid of his position as COSON chairman.
Following a vote of confidence conducted by 10 active members of COSON management board, including Okoroji the vote which was conducted at the COSON House at Ikeja had stakeholders and representatives of the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) responsible for regulating the activities of COSON in attendance, Okoroji was said to have lost to fellow board member and renowned talent Manager, Efe Omorogbe, who was immediately declared chairman of COSON.
Brief introduction of the prime parties involved in the crisis:
Chief Tony Okoroji: Tony Okoroji is an author and retired musician whose musical works reigned supreme in the ‘70s and ‘80s. At 29, Okoroji was elected National President of PMAN. Thereby making him the youngest president in the association’s history. The award winning entertainment stakeholder is the CEO of Tops limited, a Lagos based entertainment and events consultancy film.
Efe Omorogbe: Also a very respected executive in Nigeria entertainment, he is a co-founder of music publishing company, 5ive music group, founder and CEO music management and record company, now music limited, co-founder and director of 960 music group and longtime manager of Nigeria Pop Icon 2 Face Idibia.
On December 19, nearly a forthnight after Omorogbe took over the leadership of COSON, things took a different turn after Sir Victor Uwaifo, Head of the Organisation’s General Assembly announced the reinstatement of Tony Okoroji condemning the previously conducted change of chairmanship procedure as conspirational, the management board was also reconstituted and six members who were in support of Tony Okoroji’s removal including Efe Omorogbe were taken off COSON management board.
Omorogbe saw the action as ridiculous and unconstitutional explaining that board of directors are elected by members of COSON and as such it is impossible to dissolve/inaugurate a new board without the knowledge and participation of the members. He staged his purported comeback and reinstatement, created a lot of drama and claimed he had been reinstated by the General Assembly members who did not elect him as chairman in the first place.
According to him, you elect directors and directors choose a chairman, but in their desperation, they didn’t put all of these into account. He said the board’s decision to sack Okoroji stems from excessive cases of unethical practices and improper procedures for approval of funds releases.
Omorogbe had earlier in the year released a lengthy 9-point statement that accused Okoroji of gross abuse of power, alleging that Okoroji paid himself the sum of N22, 500,000 (twenty two million, five hundred thousand naira) through his company, Tops Limited.
He alleged that the amount was from MTN’s settlement payment for royalties without the approval and signature of both the Finance Committee Chairman, Mr Joel Ajayi and other board members which contradicts COSON’s rule that all payments above N2,000,000 (two million naira) must be approved by the board. Okoroji was also accused of misappropriating a quoted sum of N26,200,000 (twenty six million two hundred naira) as incurred by his company, Tops Ltd in the execution of the COSON’s week.
A series of events which contractually are allowed to hold on the condition that Production Company can independently generate the funding, as a collective management organisation, matters are discussed internally by members of the board before implementation, but the embattled Chairman, Tony Okoroji according to Omorogbe continues to unapologetically take actions without consulting the directorial board thus leading to cases of misrepresentation.
“He run the society like his personal hustle, it was difficult for Okoroji to separate himself from COSON as he sees COSON and himself as one” Omorogbe said. He further alleged that Okoroji has been orchestrating manipulative and deceitful devices presenting the well deserved benefits of right owners as an act of benevolence in a bid to buy over their loyalty.
He stressed that the movies are collected to be distributed, if you are a member that is what is due, you either based on general distribution or specific distribution and no single person has the power to determine whether you get stuff or you don’t get stuff, he stated.
The Tide Entertainment reports that International stars Busta Rhymes and Gunna topped the bill, while the festival showcased a powerhouse roster of African talent including Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, Shenseea, Phyno, Fave, Juma Jux, Qing Madi, and Diamond Platnumz, among others.
The festival launched December 7 with an eye-catching opening ceremony featuring aerial ballet performers, establishing an elevated artistic vision for the weeks ahead. That first night brought Nigerian heavyweights Wande Coal, Young Jonn, Ice Prince, Darey, Fola, Shoday, and Jerry Shaffer to the stage.
The Federal Ministry of Art and Culture partnered with the festival, with Minister Hannatu Musa Musawa acknowledging Detty December Fest as a vital force in Nigeria’s cultural landscape. She emphasized its impact on amplifying the country’s creative presence internationally and driving holiday tourism.
The 2025 edition raised the bar for live entertainment in Lagos, building on Detty December’s established reputation as a catalyst for tourism, entertainment, and economic growth during the year-end season.
The milestone was confirmed on Monday by FilmOne, the movie’s distributor, who announced that the film is now the fastest title in West Africa to cross ?1 billion. The achievement further cements Akindele’s dominance in the Nigerian film industry.
Since its release, Behind the Scenes has shattered multiple records. It posted the highest single-day box office gross ever on Boxing Day, earning an impressive ?129.5 million. It is also the highest-grossing film of 2025 so far, and remarkably, it marks Akindele’s third movie to cross the ?1 billion mark, a feat no other director has achieved.
The Tide Entertainment reports that with this latest success, Akindele has strengthened her position as Nollywood’s highest-grossing producer of all time, becoming the first filmmaker to deliver three billion-naira blockbusters within a single calendar year.
Reacting to the achievement, the actress and filmmaker expressed heartfelt gratitude to her supporters, collaborators, and distributors, while also revealing the film’s growing international reach.
“Over the years, I’ve always valued my fans, because without God and you, I am nobody,” she wrote.“Thank you all for coming out to watch this movie and for supporting my brand through the years.Thank you to the distributors, my colleagues—especially those not in the movie who still came out to meet and greet my fans.Big love to the cast and crew. This is only the beginning; let’s take Behind the Scenes even further.”
She also disclosed that the film is currently screening in cinemas across two European countries and the United States, signaling its expanding global appeal.
Akindele’s box office dominance has been nothing short of historic. In 2023, Battle on Buka Street became Nollywood’s highest-grossing film with ?640 million. She raised the bar again in January 2024 when A Tribe Called Judah became the first Nigerian movie to hit ?1 billion. Later that year, Everybody Loves Jenifa broke another record, grossing ?1.6 billion to become the highest-earning film in West African history.
Nigerian singer Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Face, has revealed his former bandmate Faze’s position in the long-running rift between him and their other ex-bandmate, Blackface.
The Tide Entertainment recalls that Blackface and 2Face have been involved in an on-and-off feud over the years, with the former repeatedly accusing the latter of intellectual property theft, allegations 2Face has consistently denied.
Addressing fans midway through his performance at the Made in Benue Festival in Makurdi recently, 2Face said Faze has maintained a neutral stance in the dispute between him and Blackface.
He stressed that the rift does not involve Faze in any way.
“You all know that Plantashun Boiz consisted of Blackface, 2Face and Faze. But due to some unforeseen circumstances, Blackface is not with us right now.
“However, no matter the beef wey me and Blackface get, nothing concern Faze inside. So, Faze is right here with me and we will represent Plantashun Boiz,” he said.
The rift between Blackface and 2Face began after Plantashun Boiz disbanded in the 2000s.
Following their split, Blackface blamed 2Face for the breakup and accused him of song theft.
The relationship between the duo has remained strained over the years despite several attempts at reconciliation, with peace efforts often short-lived.
