In a dramatic courtroom session on Friday, December 12, 2025, Peter Obumuneme Okoye, one half of the defunct music duo P-Square, delivered damning testimony against his elder brother and former manager, Jude Chigozie Okoye, who stands accused of diverting over $1 million from the brothers’ joint entertainment ventures.
Appearing as the first prosecution witness before Justice Rahman Oshodi at the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja, Peter Okoye detailed allegations that funds from their shared business interests were systematically siphoned through Northside Music Limited, a company in which the defendant’s wife holds substantial equity.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), through its Lagos Zonal Directorate 1, has brought a four-count charge against Jude Okoye and his company, Northside Music Limited, bordering on theft. The defendant has entered a not guilty plea to all charges.
Under examination, Peter Okoye confirmed a central allegation that has rocked Nigeria’s entertainment industry: that Ifeoma Okoye, wife of the defendant, owns 800,000 shares in Northside Music Limited, the company at the center of the alleged diversion scheme.
“These statements of account belong to my brother and me. We are P-Square. The company belongs to Peter and Paul,” the witness testified, referring to himself and his twin brother, Paul Okoye. “I reported to the EFCC when I discovered funds were being diverted, and EFCC brought the matter to court.”
The witness explained how the discovery unfolded: “We own an entertainment company together, and I discovered another company, Northside Entertainment Company, diverting our funds. I showed it to my brother.”
Peter Okoye confirmed that he petitioned the anti-graft agency through his legal counsel and subsequently provided a written statement at the EFCC offices following the submission of his complaint.
In a significant setback for the defense, senior counsel Clement Onwuenwunor, SAN, attempted to tender documents attached to the original petition filed with the EFCC, arguing their importance to establishing the defense’s case. The documents were presented during cross-examination alongside bank statements belonging to Northside Music Limited, which detailed various transactions over an extended period.
However, prosecution counsel M.K. Bashir mounted a vigorous objection, challenging the admissibility of the materials on multiple grounds. “The documents are public documents. The defense merely produced copies stamped as Certified True Copies (CTC). They were not attached to the petition, and they were not in proper legal form,” Bashir argued, urging the court to reject them outright.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Oshodi delivered a short ruling that sided with the prosecution. The judge noted that while the documents originated from the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and eventually came into EFCC custody, they failed to meet the court’s strict admissibility requirements.
“I reject the documents and mark them as rejected,” Justice Oshodi held, dealing a blow to the defense strategy.
The case represents the legal culmination of years of public acrimony within one of Nigeria’s most successful musical acts. P-Square, comprised of twin brothers Peter and Paul Okoye, dominated the African music scene for over a decade before their 2017 split, which many attributed to management and financial disagreements involving their elder brother, Jude, who had served as the group’s manager.
The charges suggest that during the period when Jude Okoye managed the duo’s affairs, substantial sums were allegedly diverted from their joint entertainment business into Northside Music Limited, where his wife holds a significant shareholding.
The trial, which has attracted significant public attention given the parties’ prominence in Nigeria’s entertainment industry, has been adjourned to February 20 and 27, 2026, for continuation of proceedings.
Legal observers note that the prosecution will need to establish a clear paper trail demonstrating unauthorized diversion of funds, while the defense is expected to argue that all transactions were legitimate business operations properly authorized by the parties involved.
The EFCC’s decision to prosecute the case underscores the agency’s increasing scrutiny of financial arrangements within Nigeria’s rapidly growing entertainment sector, where informal business structures and family relationships often complicate corporate governance.
As the case proceeds, it serves as a cautionary tale about the complexities of mixing family ties with business interests, particularly in an industry where verbal agreements and trust often supersede formal corporate structures.
The matter returns to court in February 2026, where additional witnesses are expected to testify.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Peter Okoye of defunct music duo P-Square testified against his elder brother and former manager, Jude Okoye, who faces theft charges exceeding $1 million. The key revelation: Jude’s wife owns 800,000 shares in Northside Music Limited, the company allegedly used to divert funds from the brothers’ joint entertainment business.
The court rejected crucial defense documents for failing to meet legal requirements, strengthening the prosecution’s position. The case exposes how family business relationships in Nigeria’s entertainment industry can deteriorate into criminal allegations when proper corporate governance is absent.
Trial continues February 2026. The outcome could set important precedents for financial accountability in the entertainment sector.
