OPINION: ₦27M For Justice, Fruitful Mekwunye’s Shocking Claim Rocks PMAN As Judge Esowe Prepares Ruling By Eberechukwu Opara.

Fruitful Mekwunye.

The National Industrial Court of Nigeria is once again at the heart of a constitutional crossroad as Hon. Justice M. N. Esowe prepares to deliver a crucial ruling in Suit No.: NICN/LA/48/2025 – Performing Musicians Employers’ Association of Nigeria (PMAN) v. Engr. George Dureke & 13 Ors. 

Allegations are rife and damning. Raymond Lasisi and Fruitful Mekwunye—key figures in the disputed consent judgment—have been heard boasting that “the hands of Hon. Justice M. N. Esowe are tied,” alleging she has no choice but to strike out Suit No.: NICN/LA/48/2025  which is challenging their consent judgment which they paid 27 million Naira to obtain. 

Pretty Okafor whose presidency is on the brink  of being usurped by a consent judgment in Suit No.: NICN/LA/360/2024 has filed a case with suit no: NICN/LA/48/2025  challenging the consent judgment obtained by Raymond Lasisi, Fruitful Mekwunye, George Dureke, and others  which he claimed  was secured through an orchestrated legal ambush. The documents before the court states that Raymond Lasisi, Fruitful Mekwunye, George Dureke and others filed a suit, served themselves at Lobby D, National Arts Theatre, an address different from the known address of PMAN and obtained a consent judgment with neither the knowledge nor participation of the legitimate PMAN leadership headquartered at 4B Hammed Kasumu Street, Chevy View Estate, Lekki, Lagos.

While the judiciary is a hallowed temple of justice, it is absurd to hear a party to a suit boastfully stating how much he paid to obtain a consent judgment and how the hands of a well respected judge at the National Industrial Courts are tied to rule in their favour.  

All Eyes on the National Industrial Court.