EFCC Presents First Witness in $1M and £34K Theft Case Against Jude Okoye and Northside Music Ltd

Mr. P.

In a dramatic turn of events, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has taken a major step in the ongoing financial crime case against Jude Chigozie Okoye, the elder brother and former manager of the famous music duo, P-Square. The trial commenced on Friday, May 16, 2025, at the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja, before Justice Rahman Oshodi.

EFCC's First Witness Testifies Against Jude Okoye
During the proceedings, the EFCC presented its first prosecution witness, Peter Obumuneme Okoye, popularly known as Mr. P, one half of the P-Square duo. This development was disclosed in a public statement released on the EFCC’s official Facebook page.
Jude Okoye is standing trial alongside his company, Northside Music Ltd., on a four-count charge of alleged theft totaling $1 million and £34,537.

Company Ownership and Petition Details
Led in evidence by the EFCC’s counsel, Mohammed Bashir, Mr. P informed the court that his sister-in-law, Ifeoma Okoye, owned 80% of Northside Music Ltd., while Jude Okoye retained a 20% share.
He stated:

“I went to the EFCC with my lawyer to submit a petition on January 22, 2024. Initially, I listed Northside Music as the respondent. However, upon further investigation, it was discovered that Jude’s wife, Ifeoma, owns 80% of the company, leaving Jude with 20%."

Peter Okoye clarified that he hadn’t communicated with either his brother Jude or his twin Paul until April 2024, when the EFCC inquired about Paul’s involvement.  Portable Remanded in Ilorin Prison Over Defamation Case Involving Osupa

He added:
The commission uncovered that Jude used over 47 bank accounts to receive royalty payments."

EFCC Detains Jude Okoye During Investigation
The witness disclosed that both Jude and Paul Okoye were later invited by the commission for questioning, but only Jude was detained during the investigation.

Mr. P further claimed:

"Jude never denied committing the crime. During a meeting at the EFCC, Paul told me Jude owns 40% of P-Square, while Paul and I own 30% each."

He emphasized that Ifeoma Okoye was never involved in the group's music business, nor was he aware of when Northside Music Ltd. was registered. According to him, the company was formally registered in 2015, although it had allegedly been operating illegally for two years before the group’s breakup in 2017.

Prosecution Submits Petition Evidence
During the court session, the prosecution sought to tender the petition submitted by Mr. P, dated January 22, 2024, as evidence. The defense counsel, Clement Onwuenwunor, SAN, did not oppose the petition’s admissibility, and it was subsequently accepted by the court.

Earlier in his testimony, Mr. P gave a detailed background of the P-Square journey. He recounted that he and his twin brother Paul started their musical career in 1999 and later formed a company called Northside Entertainment Ltd. between 2005 and 2006.
According to him, all three brothers, Peter, Paul, and Jude, were shareholders and directors in the company. However, Jude was the sole signatory to the company’s accounts, which were domiciled at Eco Bank, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), and Zenith Bank.

“The accounts included both Naira and Dollar currencies, and Jude was the sole manager of these accounts,” Mr. P revealed.

He explained that following the breakup of P-Square in September 2017, there was no income or royalty received from the company. However, before the split, royalties were managed and paid into Northside Entertainment Ltd., where all three were stakeholders.

Royalty Discrepancies and Discovery of Northside Music Ltd.
Mr. P stated that after the group reunited in November 2021, he resumed musical activities with a new manager and began to notice discrepancies in royalty payments. He discovered the existence of another company, Northside Music Ltd., allegedly being run by his elder brother Jude.
He said,

When I went on tour in London, we were approached by individuals interested in purchasing our music catalogs. However, they requested access to the royalty backend."
“After several attempts to get the backend from Jude, I discovered it had been tampered with. As a result, more than seven companies pulled out from the deal to buy our catalogs."

Mr. P also testified about the group’s digital income sources. He explained that P-Square’s music generated income through two main digital platforms—I-Rocking.com and FreeMe Digital. According to him, these aggregators collect revenue when people stream or download their songs on mobile devices.

“Prior to our breakup, we received regular payments through these aggregators into the company accounts. But after 2017, I stopped receiving any income.”

Justice Rahman Oshodi adjourned the case to May 23, 2025, for the continuation of the trial. All eyes are now on the court as the case progresses and more evidence is expected to surface.
This high-profile trial has once again brought the internal tensions within the Okoye family into the public spotlight. With allegations of financial misappropriation involving millions in foreign currency and betrayal among siblings, the case between Jude Okoye and the EFCC continues to generate national interest.
As more details unfold, fans, legal experts, and industry stakeholders alike are watching closely to see how justice will be served in a case that could reshape conversations around royalty transparency and artist management in the Nigerian music industry.

By Primelineinfo