Jude Okoye, the former manager and elder brother to the legendary P‑Square duo, now faces trial over allegations of misappropriating more than $1 million and £34,000 in music royalties.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has accused Okoye, along with his company Northside Music Limited, of diverting funds meant for digital distribution and publishing royalties between 2016 and 2023, thereby allegedly depriving his younger brother, Peter Okoye, of his rightful share. According to court documents presented at the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja, the charges include the conversion of approximately $767,544.15 and £34,537.59 received from Lex Records Limited, as well as additional sums of $133,566.49 from Kobalt Music and $118,652.23 from Mtech Limited.
The EFCC claims these actions were carried out with the intent to permanently strip Peter Okoye of his special interest in the funds. During his arraignment on March 4, 2025, before Justice Rahman Oshodi, Okoye pleaded “not guilty” to a four-count charge, while another related case before the Federal High Court in Ikoyi involves allegations of money laundering totaling N1.38 billion alongside the foreign currency amounts. Courts have alternated between remanding him in custody and granting bail under strict conditions; one ruling approved bail at N100 million with the imposition of travel restrictions, while another session saw a bail figure of N50 million.
These bail orders come with stringent conditions, including the submission of property documents and prohibitions on leaving the country, as the authorities aim to prevent flight risk and potential interference with witnesses. Compounding the legal challenges is a deep-seated family dispute that has rocked the entertainment industry. Once the trusted manager of the P‑Square brand—a name synonymous with Nigerian Afropop success—Okoye’s alleged actions have led to bitter public accusations and internal strife. Reports indicate that Peter Okoye himself had to resort to legal measures to protect his interests after discovering that funds meant for the group had been funneled into a secret company.
