Family Feud Turns Legal Battle as Peter Okoye Testifies Against Brother Jude in ₦1.3 Billion Fraud Case
A dramatic and emotionally charged courtroom showdown unfolded on Monday as Nigerian music star Peter Okoye, one half of the iconic music duo P-Square, testified against his elder brother and former manager, Jude Okoye, in a high-profile money laundering trial.
The trial, currently underway at the Federal High Court in Lagos before Justice Alexander Owoeye, centers on allegations of serious financial misconduct involving more than ₦1.3 billion, $1 million, and £34,537.59. The case, filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), stems from a formal petition submitted by Peter Okoye against his brother.
A Rift Rooted in Finance
In a gripping testimony delivered in court, Peter recounted how his suspicions grew over the years regarding Jude’s management of the group’s finances. According to Peter, Jude was made the sole signatory to P-Square’s accounts—including those at Ecobank, Zenith Bank, and FCMB—after becoming the duo’s manager.
“P-Square started in 1997/98. Before Jude became our manager, we had others,” Peter said. “But when Jude came on board, things changed. He was the sole signatory to all our accounts.”
He revealed that this setup led to prolonged periods where he could not access funds, including during the construction of his home in Ikoyi, which was being financed by Northwest Entertainment Ltd.
“For six months, the funding stopped. When I asked, I was told, ‘As you leave P-Square, you leave the money.’ That was when I knew something wasn’t right,” Peter recalled.
The Northside Controversy
Central to the case is the existence of Northside Music Limited, a company Peter claims Jude established without informing him or his twin brother, Paul. Peter alleges that this company was a mirror of their official entity, Northside Entertainment Ltd, and was used to collect royalties and manage P-Square’s digital content behind their backs.
“When I requested a statement of account in 2022, Jude refused. Even the bank said the only way I could get the documents was through the court,” Peter testified.
Further investigation revealed that Jude and his wife were the sole directors of Northside Music Limited, holding 20% and 80% ownership, respectively. Peter said this revelation came after he reviewed metadata from an album by Cynthia Morgan, one of Jude’s former artists.
Allegations of Fraud and Tampering
Peter also claimed that royalty data and backend figures for P-Square’s music catalogue had been tampered with, negatively affecting the valuation when they attempted to sell their catalogue to a new company, Mad Solutions.
He revealed that while he received $22,000 from the company, he was informed that Jude and Paul had already collected their shares.
Adding to the explosive allegations, Peter testified that the group’s tax consultant confirmed that Jude had underreported earnings, claiming that P-Square had been inactive since their 2017 split—a claim Peter strongly disputes.
Serious Charges and Legal Fallout
The EFCC has filed a seven-count criminal charge against Jude Okoye and Northside Music Ltd, including the alleged laundering of over ₦850 million used to purchase a property in Parkview Estate, Ikoyi. Another charge involves the conversion of over $1 million through a Bureau de Change, with funds allegedly being dispersed across various accounts to obscure their origins.
Jude Okoye has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
What Comes Next
The case has captured national attention, not just for its financial implications but for the deep family fracture it represents. What began as one of Nigeria’s most successful musical partnerships has now devolved into a bitter courtroom battle, with Peter Okoye set to return to the stand for cross-examination on June 4.
As the trial unfolds, many are watching closely—not only for the legal outcome but for what it reveals about fame, family, and the high stakes behind the scenes of Africa’s entertainment industry.
