ALLEGED $1 MILLION THEFT: COURT REMANDS P-SQUARE FORMER MANAGER, JUDE OKOYE IN CUSTODY

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

A Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja has remanded Jude Okoye, the elder brother of Peter Okoye (Alias Mr P) and Paul Okoye ( Alias Rudeboy), the former manager of the hip-hop artists of the defunct music group P-square, for alleged theft of $1 million US dollars 34, 537 pounds.

Jude was arraigned alongside his company, Northside Music Ltd on a four-count count charge bordering on stealing.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Justice Rahman Oshodi remanded Jude at the Ikoyi Custodial Centre where he was being held, pending the hearing of his bail application.

Oshodi adjourned the case until March 6 for a hearing of the bail application.

EFCC Counsel, Mr. Mohammed Bashir had earlier asked the court for a trial date and that the defendant be remanded at the correctional center.

The defendant’s lead counsel, Mr Clement Onwuenwunor, however, informed the court of a bail application dated Jan. 27 and urged the court to grant bail to the defendant.

Bashir, however, informed the court that the prosecution intended to file a response to the application.

He prayed to the court for a short adjourned date for the prosecution to file the counter-affidavits to the bail application.

In the charge marked Ref/99260/2025, EFCC alleged the Judge of dishonestly converting the sum of $767,544.15, to his own use, the sum which was paid Lex Records Ltd as payment for music digital distribution/publishing royalties with intent to permanently deprive the complainant, Peter Okoye his special interest in the property.

The anti-graft agency also alleged that sometime between 2016 and 2023, the defendant dishonestly converted the sum of £34,537.59, paid by Lex Records Ltd as payment for music digital distribution/ publishing royalties with intent to permanently deprive the complainant of his special interest in the property.

The commission also alleged that P- Square ex- manager dishonestly converted the sum of $133,566.49, which sum 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.

According to EFCC, the alleged offenses contravene Sections 278 and 285 of the criminal laws of Lagos.