Singer Peter Okoye, one half of the defunct music group P-Square, has told a Federal High Court in Lagos that he received over $800,000 in royalties from the group’s musical works but did not remit any portion to his elder brother, Jude Okoye.

Peter disclosed this before Justice Alexander Owoeye while being cross-examined by Mr. Clement Onwuewunor (SAN), counsel to Jude Okoye, in an ongoing trial involving allegations of fraud against Jude and his company, Northside Music Limited.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Jude and the company on a seven-count charge bordering on alleged N1.3 billion and $1 million fraud, to which the defendants have pleaded not guilty.

During the proceedings, Peter confirmed receiving the royalties from Société des Auteurs, Compositeurs et Éditeurs de Musique (SACEM), a French organisation that collects and distributes royalties to music creators and publishers.

When asked whether he shared any of the funds with Jude, Peter responded in the negative, maintaining that the payments were meant for the artists.

“No, the money was for the artists,” he said, adding that he did not inform Jude about the payments.

The witness, who testified virtually, also admitted that he had previously paid a quarter of his SACEM earnings to Jude but denied any obligation to continue such payments, insisting that Jude was not entitled to the royalties.

Peter further told the court that although the SACEM contract was signed by Jude, it was executed on behalf of “the team,” which he said did not include Jude as a member.

“Jude is not part of P-Square,” he said, maintaining that all songs performed by the group were composed, written and produced by himself and his twin brother, Paul.

He, however, acknowledged that Jude contributed to the group’s success by directing some of their music videos.

On the issue of royalty records, Peter confirmed that Jude provided him with backend royalty reports in 2022 covering the period from 2016 to 2022, including records linked to Lex Records.

The singer explained that his request for the documents was prompted by interest from potential buyers of the P-Square music catalogue.

However, a disagreement arose over when the request was made. While Jude’s counsel stated that the request was sent on October 16, 2022, and fulfilled six days later, Peter insisted that he had made the request earlier in the year.

When asked to provide documentary evidence of the earlier request, he admitted: “No. I don’t have any and I can’t recall.”

Peter also confirmed that the EFCC was aware that the royalty report had been forwarded to him and that he had received the account details from Jude.

Despite this, he maintained that royalties paid through SACEM belonged solely to him and his twin brother.

The court also heard that Peter had no direct employment contract with Jude, stating that any managerial arrangement was through Northside Entertainment Limited.

Jude, who managed the group at the peak of its career, is contesting claims relating to his role and entitlements.

Justice Owoeye adjourned further hearing in the matter to December 8 and 9, 2026.