COURT ADJOURNS N1.38BN FRAUD TRIAL OF FORMER P-SQUARE MANAGER, JUDE OKOYE

Justice A. Owoeye of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, has adjourned further hearing in the N1.38bn fraud case involving Jude Chigozie Okoye, the former manager of the P-Square music group. Jude Chigozie Okoye is the elder brother of the due of Paul and Peter Okoye, formerly known as P-Square on stage. Okoye, together with his company, Northside Music Limited, are facing a seven-count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of N1.38bn. The Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that the defendants committed the alleged offence sometime in 2022. However, he pleaded "not guilty" to the charges when they were read to him, upon his arraignment on February 26, 2025. At the resumed hearing of the matter on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, the defence counsel, Clement Onwuewunor SAN, led the first prosecution witness, Peter Obumuneme Okoye, in cross-examined, during which he denied ever signing any cheque and had no access to the accounts while still performing under Northside Entertainment. He also told the court that, although he received some money from the Ecobank account of the company, they were not royalties because the account also received millions of dollars from endorsements and shows. He maintained that he never knew about the existence of Northside Music Limited, his brother’s company, until late 2022 and that he didn’t receive any proceeds from Lex Records all through his time at the company. Thereafter, Justice Owoeye adjourned the matter till October 23 and November 10, 2025, for continuation of trial.