The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday, May 16, 2025, presented its first prosecution witness, Peter Obumuneme Okoye (popularly known as Mr P), in the ongoing trial of Jude Chigozie Okoye, the former manager and elder brother of the P-Square music duo.
Jude Okoye is standing trial alongside his company, Northside Music Ltd, before Justice Rahman Oshodi at the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, on a four-count charge bordering on alleged theft amounting to $1 million and £34,537.
Led in evidence by EFCC counsel Mohammed Bashir, Mr P testified that Jude’s wife, Ifeoma Okoye, owns 80 percent of Northside Music Ltd., while Jude controls the remaining 20 percent. He recounted that he submitted a petition to the EFCC on January 22, 2024, initially naming the company as the respondent. However, investigations revealed the shareholding structure implicating Jude and his wife.
“I submitted the petition and had no contact with Paul or Jude until April 2024 when the EFCC inquired if my twin brother was involved. I said I didn’t know,” Peter told the court.
According to him, the EFCC discovered over 47 bank accounts allegedly used by Jude to receive royalty payments. He also testified that Jude did not deny the allegations when confronted.
Peter further revealed: “Paul told me during a meeting at the EFCC that Jude owns 40 percent of P-Square, while the two of us each hold 30 percent. Ifeoma was never part of our music dealings, and I wasn’t aware when Northside Music was registered.”
He said Northside Music was officially registered in 2015 but had reportedly been operating since 2013, two years before the group’s initial breakup in 2017. Peter and Paul Okoye originally established a different company, Northside Entertainment Ltd., between 2005 and 2006, where all three brothers were shareholders, but Jude was the sole signatory to its accounts in Eco Bank, FCMB, and Zenith Bank.
“From 2017 until our reunion in 2021, I didn’t receive any royalties from the company. Before the split, all income was paid into Northside Entertainment Ltd. from our music aggregators, irocking.com and FreeMe Digital,” Peter added.
He also stated that after reuniting with his brother Paul and parting ways with Jude as manager, he noticed discrepancies in royalty distributions. This became more apparent during a UK tour when potential buyers of their music catalog requested access to backend data.
“After many failed attempts to obtain the backend from Jude, I discovered it had been tampered with, which led to seven companies withdrawing interest in buying our catalog,” Peter testified.
The court admitted the January 22 petition into evidence without objection from defense counsel Clement Onwuenwunor, SAN.
The trial was adjourned until May 23, 2025, for continuation.