Peter Okoye Testifies Against Brother Jude in ₦1.38 Billion Money Laundering Case

Nigerian pop star Peter Okoye, one-half of the iconic music duo P-Square, appeared before the Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday to testify against his elder brother and former manager, Jude Okoye, in a case involving alleged misappropriation of the group’s earnings.

Jude Okoye and his company, Northside Music Limited, are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on charges of money laundering involving ₦1.38 billion, $1 million, and £34,537.59.

Presiding over the case is Justice Alexander Owoeye. The trial follows a petition filed by Peter, who alleges that Jude diverted P-Square’s royalties and controlled access to the group’s earnings without transparency.

During his testimony, Peter told the court that Jude used a separate entity—Northside Music Limited—to secretly receive royalties due to P-Square, without the knowledge or consent of the duo.

“P-Square started around 1997 or 1998,” Peter recounted, adding that Jude joined as manager after earlier handlers, including Chioma Ugochi and the late Bayo Odusami. “We later operated under Northside Entertainment.”

Led in evidence by EFCC counsel Aso Larry, Peter explained that even as P-Square rose to international fame, Jude retained exclusive control over their financial accounts with banks including Ecobank, Zenith Bank, and FCMB.

“He was the only one authorized to withdraw money from the accounts,” Peter said. “Even when we were building houses in Ikoyi, I couldn’t access any funds. When I asked questions, I was told, ‘If you’re leaving P-Square, you’re leaving the money too.’”

The singer testified that legal efforts to resolve the conflict, including intervention from their then-lawyer, Festus Keyamo (now Minister of Aviation), proved unsuccessful. Following the group’s 2017 breakup and 2021 reunion, Peter discovered further irregularities.

In 2022, Peter uncovered the existence of Northside Music Limited—distinct from Northside Entertainment—and learned that the company had been collecting P-Square’s royalties without his or Paul Okoye’s awareness.

Attempts to obtain banking records were reportedly blocked.

“Zenith Bank told me that Jude instructed them not to release any information to me,” Peter revealed.

He also disclosed that Jude and Paul later signed their music catalog to a third-party company, Mad Solution. Peter only received over $22,000 from that deal months later.

Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) documents revealed that Jude’s wife owns 80% of Northside Music Limited, while Jude holds the remaining 20%.

The trial continues as Peter and the EFCC seek to prove that Jude used the company as a vehicle to improperly control and withhold funds that rightfully belonged to the music group.