Drama Unfolds As Peter Okoye Testifies In EFCC Fraud Case Against Former P-Square Boss

On Friday, May 16, 2025, Nigerian music icon Peter Okoye, popularly known as Mr. P, appeared as the first prosecution witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the ongoing trial of his older brother, Jude Chigozie Okoye.

Jude Okoye, who formerly managed the now-defunct P-Square group, is facing a four-count charge before Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja. He is being tried alongside his company, Northside Music Ltd., over the alleged diversion of $1 million and £34,537 in music royalty payments.

Led in evidence by EFCC counsel Mohammed Bashir, Mr. P told the court that he filed a petition with the agency on January 22, 2024, citing suspected financial mismanagement involving unpaid royalties.

Initially, Peter identified Northside Music Ltd. as the subject of his complaint. However, EFCC investigations revealed that the company was 80% owned by Jude’s wife, Ifeoma, with Jude holding the remaining 20%.

Peter recounted: “I didn’t speak with Jude or Paul until April 2024 when the EFCC inquired whether my twin brother was involved. I told them I wasn’t sure. Investigators later discovered that Jude operated over 47 bank accounts used to collect royalties.”

He added that although both Jude and Paul were invited by the EFCC, only Jude was taken into custody.

“Jude never denied the allegations. Paul told me during a meeting at the EFCC office that Jude owns 40% of P-Square, while Paul and I each own 30%,” Mr. P disclosed.

Peter said he only discovered the existence of Northside Music Ltd. during the investigation, even though it had been operating since 2013 and was officially registered in 2015—two years before P-Square’s 2017 breakup. He emphasized that Jude’s wife, Ifeoma, was never part of their business arrangements.

He traced the history of the group, stating that P-Square began in 1999 and formally registered Northside Entertainment Ltd. in 2005, listing himself, Paul, and Jude as directors and shareholders. Jude, he said, was the sole signatory to the group’s bank accounts with Ecobank, FCMB, and Zenith Bank.

Mr. P testified that from the time of the group’s split in 2017 until their 2021 reunion, he received no royalties from Northside Entertainment Ltd. Before their separation, royalties from platforms such as I-Rocking.com and FreeMe Digital were paid into the company’s account.

“After our reunion without Jude as manager, I discovered royalty discrepancies and noticed a similar company—Northside Music Ltd.—which Jude had been managing alone,” Peter told the court.

He further explained that a London tour led to a potential deal to sell the group’s music catalog. This prompted him to request access to their royalty back-end, where he uncovered suspicious financial activities.

The EFCC submitted Peter’s petition dated January 22, 2024, into evidence. Defense counsel, Chief Clement Onwuenwunor, SAN, raised no objections. Justice Oshodi admitted the petition and adjourned proceedings.

According to Naija News, the trial revolves around allegations that Jude Okoye and Northside Music Ltd. diverted substantial royalty earnings from P-Square’s globally recognized music catalog, even after the group’s disbandment and eventual reunion—without Jude’s management role.

The EFCC aims to prove fraudulent misappropriation, unauthorized business registration, and misuse of corporate accounts tied to the P-Square brand. The case remains ongoing.