Anti-graft arraigns Jude Okoye on fresh charges

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Lagos Zonal Directorate, has arraigned the Jude Okoye, the older brother and ex-manager of the defunct music duo P-Square.

Jude was arraigned on a fresh four-count charges bordering on stealing to the tune of $1,019,762.87(One Million, Nineteen Thousand, Seven Hundred and Sixty Two Thousand United States Dollars, Eighty Seven Cents) and £34,537.59( Thirty Four Thousand, Five Hundred and Thirty Seven Pound Sterling, Fifty Nine Pence).

The new offences are said to have occurred between 2016 and 2023, violating Sections 278 and 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

Jude, along with his company Northside Music Ltd, has been charged with a separate seven-count offence before Justice A.O. Owoeye at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos.

This was disclosed in a statement by the EFCC Head, Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, on Tuesday, 4th of March 2025.

The statement reads in part:

“The Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, arraigned Jude Chigozie Okoye, older brother and ex-manager of Paul and Peter Okoye, before Justice Rahman Oshodi of a Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos on fresh four-count charges bordering on stealing to the tune of $1,019,762.87( One Million, Nineteen Thousand, Seven Hundred and Sixty Two Thousand United States Dollars, Eighty Seven Cents) and £34,537.59( Thirty Four Thousand, Five Hundred and Thirty Seven Pound Sterling, Fifty Nine Pence)

“Jude, who was arraigned alongside his company, Northside Music Ltd, is facing a separate seven-count charge before Justice A.O. Owoeye of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos.

“The fresh offences are alleged to have been committed between 2016 and 2023, and contravene Sections 278 and 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011.

“He was further alleged to have diverted the sum of $133,566.49( One Hundred and Thirty Three Thousand, Five Hundred and Sixty Six Dollars, Forty Nine cents) paid by Kobalt Music Services Limited and $118,652.23( One Hundred and Eighteen Thousand, Six Hundred and Fifty Two Dollars, Twenty three cents) paid by Mtech Limited paid as royalties.

“He pleaded ‘not guilty’ when the charges were read to him.

“Prosecution counsel, M.K. Bashir, thereafter, applied for a trial date and for him to be remanded in a Correctional Centre .

“The defence counsel, Clement Onwenwnor, SAN, however, informed the court of the bail application of his client, and prayed for a short adjournment for hearing.

“Onwenwnor also prayed that the defendant be remanded in EFCC’s custody pending the hearing of the bail application.” [CONTINUE READING HERE]>>>>