COURT GRANTS P-SQUARE’S EX-MANAGER N50m BAIL IN FRAUD CASE

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Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, on Thursday, granted bail to the former manager of the defunct hip-hop music group P-Square, Jude Okoye, and his company, Northside Music Limited.

Jude, alongside his company, is standing trial over fresh allegations of theft amounting to $1,019,763.87 and £34,537.59.

Justice Oshodi granted the first defendant bail in the sum of N50 million, with two sureties in like sum.

Jude Okoye and his company, Northside Music Limited, were arraigned before the court on March 4, 2025, on four counts bordering on the alleged theft and conversion of $1m and £34,000 in royalties from digital music distribution and publishing.

During the arraignment, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s prosecution counsel, Mohammed Bashir, told the court that Jude Okoye and Northside Music Limited had allegedly stolen $1,019,763.87 and £34,537.59.
Bashir stated that the defendant committed the alleged offences between 2016 and 2023.

According to the EFCC, the offences contravene sections 278 and 285 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011.

However, the defence counsel, Clement Onwuenwunor (SAN), informed the court that the defence had filed a bail application dated 27 February 2025.

Justice Oshodi adjourned the hearing of the bail application till 6 March 2025 and ordered that the defendant be further remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre.

Jude is also facing a separate seven-count charge before Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court.

On Monday, the Federal High Court granted him bail in the sum of N100 million, with two sureties in like sum.

Ruling on the bail application on Thursday, Justice Oshodi held that the surety must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and present three years’ evidence of tax payment.

The court further ordered that the defendant submit his two international passports and that the immigration authorities be notified accordingly.

Justice Oshodi stated: “The defendant shall submit his two passports — Nigerian and St. Kitts and Nevis — to the Registrar of this court, and the EFCC shall notify the immigration authorities to withhold the passports pending the determination of this case.”

Earlier, the defence counsel, Mr Clement Onwuenwunor (SAN), moved the bail application on behalf of the first defendant.

In the application dated February 27, 2025, he urged the court to grant bail to the defendant, adding that he should be released to his younger brother, Paul Okoye (alias Rudeboy), who was willing to stand as his surety.

The counsel argued that the matter before the court was a civil dispute, describing it as a disagreement between directors and a family feud.

In response, the prosecution counsel, Mohammed Bashir, informed the court that the commission had filed an application dated March 6, 2025, opposing the bail request.

Bashir argued that the defendant holds dual citizenship, which could allow him to evade trial.

He also pointed out that no medical evidence had been provided to support the defendant’s claim of ill health.

The prosecution acknowledged the defendant’s cooperation during the investigation.

Opposing the bail request, Bashir stated: “There are multiple charges and multiple counts against him, and the facts are overwhelming. This could induce him to abscond.”

Ruling on the arguments, the judge noted that the prosecution’s main objection was that the first defendant holds dual citizenship and possesses two passports.

Considering the affidavits submitted by both parties, the court granted bail in the sum of N50 million, with two sureties in like sum.

The judge then adjourned the case till May 16 and 23, 2025, for trial.