Peter Okoye: $800k SACEM Royalties Were for the Artistes, Not Jude

Singer Peter Okoye told a Lagos court on Monday that he received about $800,000 in royalties from the French music-rights body SACEM for P-Square’s catalogue but shared none of it with his elder brother and former manager, Jude Okoye, insisting the funds belonged solely to the performing artistes.

Testifying virtually before Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court, Peter was cross-examined by Jude’s counsel, Clement Onwuewunor, SAN. Jude Okoye and his company, Northside Music Limited, are standing trial on a seven-count charge brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleging fraud involving roughly ₦1.3 billion and $1 million. Both defendants have pleaded not guilty.

Peter confirmed that the payments covered approximately ten P-Square songs between 2016 and 2026. When asked whether any portion went to Jude, he replied that none did.

“No, the money was for the artistes,” he said, adding that he had not informed his brother of the receipts. He maintained that the royalties were due to him and his twin brother, Paul Okoye, as the composers, writers and producers of the material. “Jude is not part of P-Square,” Peter told the court.

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He acknowledged that Jude had signed the SACEM agreement, but said the contract was executed on behalf of “the team” and did not make Jude a member of the group or entitle him to a share. Peter also confirmed that he had previously paid Jude a quarter of his SACEM earnings, yet denied any continuing obligation after the brothers’ 2022 reconciliation. He further stated that he had no personal employment contract with Jude; the management arrangement ran through Northside Entertainment Limited.

Earlier in the session, counsel challenged Peter’s claim that Jude had taken more than three months to supply P-Square’s backend royalty records after a 2022 request. Onwuewunor put it to the witness that the request was made on 16 October and the records were delivered six days later, on 22 October. Peter insisted he had asked earlier but admitted he had neither documentary evidence nor a clear recollection of any prior request. He confirmed receiving the report covering 2016–2022, which had been sought because prospective buyers were interested in the group’s music catalogue, and noted that Jude had also forwarded account details and that the EFCC was aware the materials had been sent.

Peter conceded that Jude had directed some of P-Square’s music videos but repeated that he and Paul alone created the songs. The court adjourned further hearing until 8 and 9 December 2026.

The testimony forms part of a protracted family and business dispute that began after Peter petitioned the EFCC, alleging mismanagement of royalties and related funds through Northside Music Limited, a company he claimed was set up without the knowledge of the other brothers.

The case continues to examine the precise roles, contractual arrangements and financial entitlements surrounding one of Nigeria’s most successful music acts.