By Adenike Lawal
The courtroom feud between estranged P-Square brothers has taken a dramatic turn as Peter Okoye faces sharp accusations of misleading the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in the ongoing fraud case against their former manager and elder brother, Jude Okoye.
At the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Jude Okoye and Northside Music Limited are being prosecuted over alleged misappropriation of more than one million dollars and thirty four thousand pounds in royalties.
The EFCC claims Jude unlawfully diverted funds from digital and publishing platforms tied to P-Square’s music.
But in a fierce cross-examination, Jude’s counsel, Clement Onwuenwunor, challenged Peter’s credibility, accusing him of fabricating testimony to smear his brother.
Under pressure, Peter admitted he never graduated from the University of Abuja, despite earlier telling investigators he did.
Financial records also punched holes in his claims of exclusion from company accounts. Contrary to his assertion that Jude was the sole signatory, documents showed both Peter and Paul Okoye were also listed under Category B and benefited from company funds.
Peter further accused Jude of signing artistes like Cynthia Morgan using P-Square’s letterhead without consent. Yet, court documents revealed Peter’s involvement in royalty agreements he previously denied, including a deal with Mad Solutions.
His reported earnings were also disputed, with evidence showing far smaller figures than he claimed.
In another twist, Peter admitted he had no firsthand knowledge of the alleged forty seven accounts Jude was said to operate, stating his claim was based solely on EFCC information.
Justice Rahman Oshodi admitted key documents into evidence and ordered the defence to share all materials with the prosecution before the next sittings on October ten and seventeen.
As legal proceedings continue, the rift among the Okoye brothers is laying bare a tangled web of trust, money, and broken family ties behind one of Nigeria’s most successful music groups.
