Court remands P-Square’s brother in correctional centre over alleged theft

Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Lagos Special Offences Court, Ikeja, yesterday ordered the remand of Jude Okoye, the former manager of the defunct music group P-Square, at the Ikoyi Custodial Centre over the alleged theft of about $1.34 million.

Okoye, the elder brother of Peter Okoye (alias Mr P) and Paul Okoye (alias Rude Boy), was arraigned alongside his company, Northside Music Limited, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

He was charged with four counts of stealing but pleaded not guilty to all the charges. Following his plea, the prosecution counsel, Mr Mohammed Bashir, requested a trial date and asked the court to remand the defendant at the Correctional Centre.

However, the defence counsel, Mr Clement Onwuenwunor (SAN), informed the court that he had filed a bail application dated January 27 and urged the court to grant his client bail.

In response, the prosecutor stated that he intended to file a counter-affidavit to the bail application and requested a short adjournment to allow time for the filing.

Justice Oshodi subsequently ordered the defendant’s remand at the Ikoyi Custodial Centre pending the hearing of his bail application. The case was adjourned to March 6 for the hearing.

According to the charge marked Ref/99260/2025, the EFCC accused Okoye of dishonestly converting $767,544.15, paid by Lex Records Limited for music digital distribution and publishing royalties, to his own use, with the intent to permanently deprive the complainant, Peter Okoye, of his special interest in the funds.

The commission further alleged that between 2016 and 2023, Okoye dishonestly converted £34,537.59, paid by Lex Records Limited for similar royalties, with the intent to permanently deprive the complainant of his interest in the property.

Also, the defendant was accused of converting $133,566.49, paid by Kobalt Music for music digital distribution and publishing royalties, and $118,652.23, paid by Mtech Limited for royalties, both with the intent to deprive Peter Okoye of his rightful interests in the funds. The EFCC stated that Okoye’s actions contravened Sections 278 and 285 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos 2011.