Lagos, May 16, 2025 – The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) presented its first prosecution witness, Peter Obumuneme Okoye (Mr. P), in the ongoing trial of Jude Chigozie Okoye.
Currently, Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja is presiding over the case.
Jude Okoye, the elder brother and former manager of the music duo P-Square, faces four counts of theft involving $1 million and £34,537. Additionally, his company, Northside Music Ltd., is also on trial. During the proceedings, EFCC counsel Mohammed Bashir led Mr. P in testimony.
First, Mr. P revealed that Jude’s wife, Ifeoma Okoye, owns 80% of Northside Music Ltd., while Jude holds only 20%. He explained that after submitting a petition to the EFCC on January 22, 2024, investigations uncovered Ifeoma’s majority stake. “I submitted the petition but did not contact Paul or Jude until April 2024,” he stated.
Furthermore, Mr. P disclosed that Jude controlled over 47 bank accounts for royalty payments.
He confirmed that the EFCC detained Jude based on ongoing investigations.
Meanwhile, Paul Okoye was questioned independently.
During the meeting, Paul asserted Jude owned 40% of P-Square, while the twins shared the remaining 60%.
Additionally, Mr. P testified that Ifeoma was never part of their business dealings.
Additionally, he revealed that Northside Music Ltd. had engaged in illegal operations starting in 2013.
Despite this, the company officially registered only two years later, in 2015, highlighting a significant delay.
The prosecution then submitted the January 2024 petition as evidence, which the defense did not oppose.
Earlier, Mr. P recounted how he and Paul launched their music career in 1999 and later founded Northside Entertainment Ltd. between 2005 and 2006. He emphasized that Jude was the sole signatory to the company’s three bank accounts at EcoBank, FCMB, and Zenith Bank. “These included Naira and Dollar accounts,” he clarified.
After P-Square disbanded in September 2017 and reunited in November 2021, Mr. P claimed he received no royalties during the hiatus. Initially, royalties were paid into Northside Entertainment Ltd., in which all three brothers owned shares.
However, after reuniting, he uncovered discrepancies and subsequently learned that Jude operated a separate company, Northside Music Ltd.
Finally, Mr. P remembered an incident during a London tour when potential buyers sought access to the music catalog’s financial records; therefore, the case continues to unfold with additional evidence expected in upcoming days.The court will continue to examine the allegations against Jude Okoye and his company.
