Court sends Jude Okoye to prison for $1m, £34,537 fraud

The Special Offences Court sitting in the Ikeja area of Lagos State, on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, remanded the former manager of P-Square, Jude Okoye, for alleged $1 million and £34,537 fraud.

Jude, who is also the elder brother of singers Peter Okoye and Paul Okoye, was arraigned alongside his company, Northside Music Limited, on a four-count charge bordering on theft.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The EFCC counsel, Mohammed Bashir, asked the court for a trial date and that Jude be remanded at the correctional centre.

The lead counsel for the defendant, Clement Onwuenwunor (SAN), however, informed the court of a bail application dated January 27 and urged the court to grant bail to his client.

Bashir also informed the court that the prosecution intends to file a response to the application.

He prayed the court for a short adjourned date for the prosecution to file the counter affidavit to the bail application.

The presiding judge, Justice Rahman Oshodi, remanded Jude at the Ikoyi Custodial Centre where he is being held, pending the hearing of his bail application.

Justice Oshodi adjourned the case until March 6, 2025, for the hearing of the bail application.

N1.38bn, $1m Fraud: EFCC arraigns Jude Okoye, ex-P-Square Manager

In the charge marked Ref/99260/2025, the EFCC alleged that Jude dishonestly converted the sum of $767,544 to his own use.

It alleged that the sum was paid to Lex Records Limited for music digital distribution/publishing royalties.

The anti-graft agency said the payment was with intent to permanently deprive the complainant, Peter Okoye, of his special interest in the property.

The EFCC also alleged that between 2016 and 2023, the defendant dishonestly converted the sum of 34,537 pounds paid by Lex Records Limited for music digital distribution/ publishing royalties.

The EFCC said it was with intent to permanently deprive Peter Okoye of his special interest in the property.

The commission alleged that the ex-manager also dishonestly converted the sum of $133,566 paid by Kobalt Music for digital distribution/publishing royalties with intent to permanently deprive Okoye of his special interest in the property.

The anti-graft agency equally alleged that the defendant dishonestly converted the sum of $118,652 paid by Mtech limited for music digital distribution and publishing royalties with intent to permanently deprive Okoye of his special interest.

According to the EFCC, the alleged offence contravene Sections 278 and 285 of the Criminal laws of Lagos State, 2011.

The Star