The Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja has ordered the remand of Jude Okoye, the elder brother and former manager of Paul and Peter Okoye of the defunct music group P-Square, in connection with an alleged theft of $1 million and £34,537.59.
Justice Rahman Oshodi remanded Okoye at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre, where he will remain pending the hearing of his bail application. The court adjourned the case until March 6 for a hearing on the application.
Okoye, alongside his company, Northside Music Ltd, was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a four-count charge. One of the charges alleges that Okoye and Northside Music Ltd unlawfully converted $767,544.15, paid by Lex Records Limited for music digital distribution and publishing royalties, with the intent to deprive his brother, Peter Okoye, of his special interest in the asset.
EFCC prosecutor, Mohammed Bashiru, stated that the alleged offenses occurred between 2016 and 2023. Okoye, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The EFCC Counsel requested a trial date and that the defendant be remanded in custody. In response, Okoye’s defense counsel, Clement Onwuenwunor (SAN), informed the court of a bail application filed on January 27, requesting that his client be granted bail. The prosecutor indicated he would file a response to the application and requested a short adjournment.
After hearing both sides, Justice Oshodi ordered the defendant’s remand and adjourned the case to March 6.
Jude Okoye is also facing money laundering charges involving N1.38 billion, $1 million, and £34,537.59 at the Federal High Court in Lagos. On March 3, that court granted him bail in the sum of N100 million, with two sureties in like sum, and adjourned the case until April 14 for the commencement of trial.
