Alleged $1m, £34,500 theft: EFCC arraigns P-Square’s ex-manager, Jude Okoye

The prolonged dispute between Peter Okoye, formerly of the music group P-square, and his older brother Jude Okoye, the group’s ex-manager, intensified on Tuesday.

Jude Okoye was arraigned at the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on new charges related to the alleged theft of $1,019,763.87 and £34,537.59.

Persecondnews recalls that Jude, who is also facing a similar case of seven counts before Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court, was granted a N100 million bail with two sureties in like sum on Monday March 3.

In the fresh charges marked Ref/99260/2025, before Justice Rahman Oshodi, Jude Okoye and his Northside Music Limited company, is facing four counts preferred against him by the EFCC.

When the case was called, Mr. Mohammed Bashiru, the EFCC’s prosecution counsel, announced his appearance, while defence counsel Mr. Clement Onwuenwunor (SAN) represented the two defendants.

Bashiru alleged that Jude Okoye and his company, Northside Music Limited, dishonestly converted $767,544.15 to Jude’s personal use, which was paid by Lex Records Limited for music digital distribution/publishing royalties, with the intention of permanently depriving Peter Okoye of his interest in the property.

According to Bashiru, the alleged offences were committed between 2016 and 2023.

Jude Okoye was further accused by the prosecutor of dishonestly converting £34,537.59, paid by Lex Records Limited for music digital distribution/publishing royalties, with the intention of permanently depriving Peter Okoye of his interest in the property.

The anti-graft agency alleged that P-Square’s ex-manager dishonestly converted $133,566.49, which was paid by Kobalt Music digital distribution /publishing royalties, with the intent to permanently deprive Peter Okoye of his special interest in the property.

It further said the defendant dishonestly converted the sum of $118,652.23, paid by Mtech limited, as payment for music digital distribution publishing royalties with intent to permanently deprive Peter Okoye of his special interest in the property.

EFCC said the offences committed by Jude Okoye contravened Sections 278 and 285 of the Lagos State Criminal Laws of 2011.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Following the arraignment, the defence counsel informed the court that he had filed a bail application on February 27, 2025.

Details later…