Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Rivers state, Mr. David Iyofor is in for big trouble and may risk jail over an alleged treacherous refusal to pay cash amounting to millions meant for a well known Rivers state musician, Arthur Pepple Jnr and other musicians for producing Governor Amaechi’s second term audio and visual campaign theme song in April 2011.
The governor’s press secretary could also face the wire from the judge handling the case in court over repeated refusal to appear in court to answer to the alleged treacherous charges put forward by the popular Rivers musician.
It will be recalled that Iyofor prior to his appointment as Chief Press secretary to the Governor of Rivers state was the Director Media/Publicity in the Governor’s re-election campaign organization. Hence, Iyofor personally contacted and negotiated with Arthur Pepple to do the campaign theme song for the governor. However according to Pepple,”I don’t know that he has a well orchestrated plan to withhold the cash, all entreaties I had made and that by some highly placed individuals to compel Iyofor to pay the cash amicably had fallen on deaf ears and this obviously prompted me to explore the option of an appropriate court of law for justice”, he said’.
The musician explained his decision to tow this line was as result of pressure from colleagues who were engaged in the production to settle performance fees. “It was also premised on the need to meet rising family and social responsibility and most painfully gross negligence on the part of the Chief press secretary” he averred.
In spite of the court invitation, neither Iyofor nor his counsel have refused to put up an appearance spanning over five sittings and this we gathered is set to attract serious consequences on the part of the chief press secretary.
In a letter written to the Rivers state Governor and copied to his Information and Communication commissioner, Ibim Semenitari and Transport, George Tolofari by the musician, it reads “ Permit me to bring to your Excellency’s notice, the extent of psychological and financial embarrassment including public ridicule that I have been subjected to, as a result of failure on the part of Your Chief Press secretary, Mr. David Iyofor, to pay my bill of N8 Million naira, agreed for the production of the audio/visual theme song used during your governorship campaign in April 2011, despite my repeated persuasions and appeals by my lawyer, friends and elder statesmen”.
Speaking to some Journalist at the court premises on Thursday 6th June 2013 where Iyofor once again refused to appear in court, Arthur Pepple who is presently the chairman of Performing Musicians Employers Association, PMAN, Rivers state chapter explained that the Governor’s Chief press secretary has lost integrity and respect following his shameful act.
He said at some point after several failed promises in words and text messages Iyofor had claimed that Nyesome Wike, the then Director General of Amaechi re-election campaign organization was the one withholding the money. He said, “I don’t want to join issues here, I am a law abiding citizens of Rivers state who is very supportive of the pragmatic/developmental strides of the Governor of the state. my support for this administration was further demonstrated when I provided the public address system used during the Governor’s primaries at the Sharks stadium”.
“I mobilized over three hundred musicians on solidarity visit to the governor to show support for Governor Amaechi’s re-election. I single handedly produced the jingle that was adopted and aired in all electronic media in the state to counter the negative impact of Daniel Wilson’s jingle whichelicited negative reactions for the sake of solidarity with the governor re-election for free.
Pepple stressed that iyofor must be made to pay for the production of an audio/visual campaign theme song which he personally contracted to me after negotiation. The song according to him is presently used as a caller tune “RIVERS SONG” in MTN caller tunes and yet he has bluntly refused to effect payment.
The Rivers PMAN chairman has said the matter will be pursued to its logical end to ensure that justice is done.” Iyofor must be made to pay me my money” he concluded.
