EFCC arraigns P-Square’s ex-manager for alleged $1m, £34,500 theft

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Tuesday arraigned Jude Okoye, the former manager of hip-hop artists and the defunct music group P-square, on fresh charges of alleged theft of $1,019,763.87 and £34,537.59 before the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja.

Jude is also facing a similar case of seven counts before Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court.

The Federal High Court on Monday granted him bail in the sum of N100m, with two sureties in like.

In the fresh charges marked Ref/99260/2025, before Justice Rahman Oshodi, Jude Okoye and his Northside Music Limited company, he is facing four counts preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

When the case was called, EFCC’s prosecution counsel Mohammed Bashiru announced his appearance for the prosecution, and defence counsel Clement Onwuenwunor (SAN) appeared for the two defendants.

The prosecutor, Mohammed Bashiru, told the court that Jude and his Northside Music limited company dishonestly converted the sum of $767,544.15 to his own use, the alleged sum which was paid by Lex Records limited as payment for music digital distribution/publishing royalties with intent to deprive Peter Okoye his special interest in the property permanently.

Bashiru said the alleged offences were committed sometime between 2016 and 2023.

The prosecutor also accused Jude Okoye of dishonestly converting the sum of £34,537.59, paid by Lex Records Limited, as payment for music digital distribution/ publishing royalties, with the intent to permanently deprive Peter Okoye of his special interest in the property.

EFCC alleged that P-Square’s ex-manager dishonestly converted $133,566.49, which was paid by Kobalt Music digital distribution /publishing royalties, with the intent to permanently deprive Peter Okoye of his special interest in the property.

The anti-graft agency said the defendant dishonestly converted the sum of $118,652.23, paid by Mtech limited, as payment for music digital distribution publishing royalties with intent to permanently deprive Peter Okoye of his special interest in the property.

According to EFCC, the offences committed contravened sections 278 and 285 of the criminal laws of Lagos State 2011.

However, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against him.

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After the arraignment, the defendant’s counsel told the court that he had a bail application dated February 27, 2025.

Punch Newspaper