The Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK) Chief Executive Officer, Ezekiel Mutua, has threatened to sue Nation Media Group (NMG) over the lack of an apology for allegedly publishing a fake notification.
In a statement, Mutua, on Saturday, May 10, said that he would sue the media house for ignoring a demand letter from his lawyers, which sought an apology over a misleading publication announcing his firing.
Mutua revealed that he sought the apology after the Daily Nation published a fake notice purporting that he was fired despite initially informing the media outlet that the information was false.
While explaining how he learned about plans to publish the fake notice, the MCSK boss stated that the previous evening, he had detected unauthorised withdrawals from the organisation's bank account, including a payment to the media house.
According to him, upon realising the suspicious withdrawals, he rushed to report the matter to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations' (DCI) Banking Fraud Unit.
He then contacted Nation Media, explained the situation, during which he spoke with senior managers and also shared details of the fraud and the planned defamation.
"They (Daily Nation) acknowledged the advert artwork was prepared and payment received, but assured me they would not publish it after receiving my letter," Mutua explained.
Mutua reiterated that despite informing the media outlet of the fraudulent notice he was shocked to receive several notifications from Kenyans who told him about the fake trending notice in the newspaper.
"Yesterday, my lawyers sent a demand letter for a retraction and apology, which the Nation has ignored. We will now resolve this matter in court," the MCSK boss stated.
Mutua's latest declaration comes a day after MCSK dismissed allegations claiming that its CEO was fired, terming the Daily Nation's publication as baseless.
In a press statement dated Friday, May 9, MCSK Chairman Ephantus Wahome Kamau refuted the claims, maintaining that Mutua remains the CEO and that the firing allegations were part of a smear campaign he blamed on former directors.
"The MCSK has noted with concern a false and malicious public notice published in the Daily Nation, which wrongly claims that Dr. Ezekiel Mutua is no longer the Chief Executive Officer of MCSK," said Wahome.
"We wish to clarify unequivocally that these allegations are entirely baseless. Dr. Ezekiel Mutua remains the legitimate CEO of MCSK. The individuals behind this notice are former directors whose terms ended on February 16."
