By Nkechi Eze
The Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, has adjourned further proceedings in the trial of Jude Chigozie Okoye, former manager and elder brother of Nigerian music duo P-Square, in an alleged N1.38 billion money laundering case. The matter was adjourned to October 23 and November 10, 2025, for continuation of trial.
Justice A. Owoeye presided over the matter on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. Okoye is being prosecuted by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alongside his company, Northside Music Limited, on a seven-count charge bordering on laundering of illicit funds.
According to an official signed statement by the EFCC’s spokesperson Dele Oyewale, the charges relate to the unlawful acquisition of high-value property and movement of funds suspected to be proceeds of criminal activity.
One of the counts reads: “That you, Jude Okoye Chigozie and Northside Music Limited, sometime in 2022, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did directly acquire a landed property known as No 5, Tony Eromosele Street, Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos worth ₦850,000,000.00 (Eight Hundred and Fifty Million Naira only), which money you knew or reasonably ought to have known formed part of proceeds of unlawful act and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(2)(d) and punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
Okoye, who was arraigned on February 26, 2025, pleaded not guilty to all charges.
At the resumed hearing on Wednesday, the first prosecution witness, Peter Obumuneme Okoye—popularly known as Peter of P-Square—told the court during cross-examination by defence counsel, Clement Onwuewunor, SAN, that he had no access to Northside Entertainment’s financial operations during his time with the label.
“I never signed any cheque. I had no access to the company accounts,” he stated. While acknowledging that he received some payments from Northside Entertainment’s Ecobank account, he clarified that the funds were not royalties, as the account also received millions from endorsements and performances.
Peter further told the court that he was unaware of the existence of Northside Music Limited—separate from Northside Entertainment—until late 2022. He also maintained that he never received any proceeds from Lex Records during his time at the company.
Justice Owoeye subsequently adjourned the matter to October 23 and November 10, 2025, for continuation of trial. The case continues to draw public attention due to the personalities involved and the magnitude of the alleged financial misappropriation.
