The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has told a Lagos court that it has no evidence to support singer Peter Okoye’s allegation that his brothers, Jude Okoye and Paul Okoye, fraudulently withdrew $800,000 from their company’s account during their time together as members of the defunct music group P-Square.
Peter, popularly known as Mr P, had in 2024 filed a petition accusing Jude of diverting funds belonging to P-Square, secretly operating 47 bank accounts, and manipulating the shareholding structure of Northside Entertainment Ltd., the company jointly owned by the brothers. The petition prompted the EFCC to charge Jude and his company, Northside Music Limited, with alleged financial mismanagement of the P-Square brand.
Jude and Northside Music Limited were arraigned on March 4, 2025, on a four-count charge bordering on the alleged stealing and conversion of $1 million and £34,000 in digital music royalties. According to the EFCC, Jude allegedly converted $767,544.15 paid by Lex Records Limited for music digital distribution “with intent to permanently deprive Peter of his interest.” Jude was later granted N50 million bail on March 6, 2025.
During trial on May 23, 2025, Peter told the court that new evidence showed Jude and Paul jointly withdrew and shared over $800,000 between March 2023 and October 2024. However, under cross-examination by defence counsel Clement Onwuenwunor (SAN), he revised the timeline to 2013–2014. He also insisted that Jude operated 47 bank accounts and controlled 80% of Northside Entertainment’s shares.
At the resumed cross-examination on November 28, EFCC counsel Mohammed Bashir told Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Lagos State Special Offences Court that the agency could not provide any document supporting the alleged $800,000 withdrawal.
In his words:
“We do not have it. It is his evidence. Let him prove it. I can’t give what I don’t have.”
The EFCC further denied having any records of the alleged 47 accounts.
Similarly, the defence presented Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) documents contradicting Peter’s claim that Jude held 80% ownership of Northside Entertainment.
During the hearing, Peter also admitted he only became aware of Northside Music in 2024 after artiste Cynthia Morgan forwarded her contract bearing the company’s letterhead, even though her albums were credited to Northside Inc.
Justice Oshodi adjourned the matter to December 12, 2025, for further hearing.
