Jude Okoye, the elder brother and former manager of Nigeria's iconic music duo P-Square, has been arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on seven counts of money laundering totalling ₦1.38 billion, $1 million, and £34,537.59. The arraignment, which took place on February 26, 2025, at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, marks a significant escalation of the family feud between Jude and his twin brothers, Peter and Paul Okoye.
The Roots of the Feud
P-Square, comprising Peter and Paul Okoye, dominated Afrobeat from 2003 to 2017, churning out hits like Bizzy Body, Personally, and Bank Alert. Managed by Jude, their elder brother, the duo amassed a fortune estimated at over $150 million through music sales, international tours, and lucrative endorsements. However, beneath the glitz lay simmering tensions over royalties, creative control, and financial transparency. The first public fracture came in 2017 when P-Square disbanded amid a bitter dispute.
A Family Feud Goes Public
In August 2023, Peter Okoye filed a petition with the EFCC, alleging that Jude and his wife, Ifeoma Okoye, had diverted millions of dollars and hundreds of millions of naira in P-Square royalties into a secret company, Northside Music Ltd. Peter claimed this was a deliberate scheme to siphon funds, bypassing the group's financial structure. Jude swiftly denied the allegations, labelling them baseless and defamatory. The EFCC, known for its meticulous investigations, launched a probe that would take nearly two years to bear fruit, analyzing bank records, property deeds, and transaction trails tied to Northside Music Ltd.
The Trial Date Set
Jude pleaded "not guilty" to the charges, triggering a courtroom showdown. EFCC counsel Larry Peters Aso requested a trial date and Jude's remand in a correctional facility, citing the case's severity. Defense lawyer Inibehe Effiong countered with a pending bail application, asking for a brief adjournment and temporary EFCC custody. Aso objected, noting facility overcrowding, and Justice Owoeye ruled that Jude be remanded at Ikoyi Correctional Facility. The bail hearing was set for February 28, with the trial slated for April 14, 2025.
The Family and Public Weigh In
The arraignment reverberated through the Okoye family and beyond. Paul posted on X, but the exact quote is not available in the source material. The drama intensified as fans and celebrities weighed in—artist Cynthia Morgan, who had previously accused Jude of withholding her royalties, sarcastically remarked that the matter should have stayed "in-house." The EFCC's move against Jude has raised questions about the extent of his alleged financial misdeeds and whether justice will be served in the highly publicized case.
Source: NotJustOk
