A dramatic chapter unfolded in the saga of Nigeria’s iconic music duo, P-Square, as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday presented Peter Okoye as its star witness in the ongoing trial of his elder brother and former manager, Jude Okoye, over an alleged money laundering case involving a staggering ₦1.38 billion.
Jude Okoye, who managed the pop group at the height of its fame, is facing a seven-count charge of financial misconduct. He and his company, Northside Music Limited, were arraigned before Justice A. Owoeye at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos. Jude pleaded not guilty to the charges back in February.
Taking the witness stand, Peter Okoye gave an emotional and detailed account of the breakdown in his relationship with his brother — a rift that extended beyond personal issues into the heart of their music empire.
Led in testimony by EFCC prosecutor Aso Larry Peters, Peter alleged that Jude had exclusive control over the group’s finances, including accounts in Ecobank, Zenith Bank, and FCMB, despite the earnings belonging to the group, P-Square.
“The group started in 1997, disbanded in 2017, and reunited in 2021,” Peter began. “Over the years, we had several managers, but eventually, my brother Jude took over the management under Northside Entertainment.”
But soon, Peter said, red flags began to emerge. He claimed Jude operated as the sole signatory on all major accounts, leaving Peter and his twin, Paul, in the dark about the group’s financial dealings.
“We had constant issues about how the business was being handled,” he said. “I had no access to the accounts. Even when I asked questions, I was told, ‘If you leave P-Square, you leave the money.’”
Peter recounted how funding for his personal house project in Ikoyi — financed by the group’s company, Northwest Entertainment — was suddenly cut off without explanation. In his quest for answers, he said he uncovered the existence of Northside Music Limited, a company bearing striking resemblance to their official business name, but which he had never heard of.
A deeper dive revealed the company was controlled entirely by Jude and his wife — with her holding 80% ownership. “That’s when I knew something was very wrong,” Peter told the court. “Everything was hidden behind this other company.”
He said this discovery came during a potential deal to sell P-Square’s music catalog. The buyers had requested financial statements and backend data — the digital footprint showing how much revenue the songs were earning. But Jude, Peter said, refused to provide the information.
Instead, when Peter eventually received the music catalog, it had allegedly been tampered with. Figures were replaced by empty placeholders, dramatically reducing the catalog’s perceived value — from a potential $8,000 to a mere $500.
According to Peter, his attempts to get his twin brother Paul involved were met with apathy.
“When I told Paul about it, he initially said he didn’t know anything,” Peter testified. “Later, he came back and told me to do my worst.”
The singer further claimed that even the group’s tax consultant flagged financial irregularities and that funds were still flowing into the band’s Access Bank account well after their 2017 breakup, despite claims they hadn’t performed during that period.
With the situation spiraling, Peter said he turned to legal counsel and eventually brought the matter before the EFCC.
The courtroom drama is far from over. The case has been adjourned to June 4, 2025, when Jude Okoye will face cross-examination.
