Music Rights Body Accuses Malami of Orchestrating Billion-Naira Levy Scam

The Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) has voiced serious concerns over what it describes as irregularities in the handling of funds meant for Nigerian musicians, linking the issue to decisions made during the tenure of former Attorney-General, Abubakar Malami.

Speaking at a media briefing, the organization alleged that a controversial framework surrounding the collection of private copying levies allowed significant sums of money to be mishandled, leaving many artists without their due compensation. COSON maintained that the situation has negatively impacted the livelihoods of creators across the country.

The group also questioned the legitimacy of the Musical Copyright Society Nigeria (MCSN), arguing that its operations and licensing authority remain unclear. According to COSON, this uncertainty has contributed to confusion within the industry and may have enabled the diversion of funds.

COSON has therefore called on the Federal Government to immediately review the system, suspend any ongoing disbursement of the levy funds, and conduct a thorough audit of all agencies involved. The body stressed that restoring transparency and fairness is crucial to rebuilding confidence in Nigeria’s creative sector.