P-Square: Jude Okoye remanded in Ikoyi Prison for stealing

Emmanuel Ukudolo I Tuesday, March 04, 2025

IKEJA, LAGOS – Jude Okoye, former manager of P-Square – the music brand featuring Peter and Paul Okoye – and his company Northside Music Ltd were today arraigned before Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Special Offences Court Ikeja on four count charge bothering on theft of $1 million US dollars and 34, 537 Pounds Sterling.

Jude Okoye entered a “Not Guilty” plea to all the four counts charge.

Thereafter, his counsel, Clement Onwuenwunor, SAN applied to the court for bail and that his client be placed on the same administrative bail already granted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, who is prosecuting the case.

Justice Rahman Oshodi remanded Jude at the Ikoyi Custodial Centre pending the hearing of his bail application and adjourned the case until March 6 for  hearing of the bail application.

EFCC Counsel, Mr. Mohammed Bashir had earlier asked the court for a trial date and that the defendant be remanded at the correctional center.

The defendant’s lead counsel, Mr Clement Onwuenwunor, however, informed the court of a bail application dated Jan. 27 and urged the court to grant bail to the defendant.

Bashir, however, informed the court that the prosecution intended to file a response to the application.

He prayed to the court for a short adjourned date for the prosecution to file the counter-affidavits to the bail application.

In the charge marked Ref/99260/2025, EFCC alleged the Judge of dishonestly converting the sum of $767,544.15, to his own use, the sum which was paid Lex Records Ltd as payment for music digital distribution/publishing royalties with intent to permanently deprive the complainant, Peter Okoye his special interest in the property.

The anti-graft agency also alleged that sometime between 2016 and 2023, the defendant dishonestly converted the sum of £34,537.59, paid by Lex Records Ltd as payment for music digital distribution/ publishing royalties with intent to permanently deprive the complainant of his special interest in the property.

The commission also alleged that P- Square ex- manager dishonestly converted the sum of $133,566.49, which sum paid by Kobalt Music digital distribution/publishing royalties with the intent to permanently deprive Peter Okoye of his special interest in the property.

The anti-graft agency said the defendant dishonestly converted the sum of $118,652.23, paid by Mtech limited as payment for music digital distribution publishing royalties with intent to permanently deprive Peter Okoye of his special interest contrary to Sections 278 and 285 of the criminal laws of Lagos.