Jude Okoye Freed After Two Months in N1.38bn Fraud Case

• Apr 24, 2025

Jude Okoye, former manager of the renowned P-Square music group and elder brother to Paul and Peter Okoye, has been released after spending over two months in detention for alleged financial misconduct. His release followed prolonged delays in perfecting his bail conditions, despite bail being granted earlier.

The news was confirmed by his younger brother, Paul Okoye—also known as Rudeboy—who shared a video of Jude’s return home on Instagram. “Jude is finally out after two months plus... all their efforts to frustrate his bail have finally collapsed. Welcome home, brother @judeengees. And happy birthday,” Paul wrote.

Jude is currently facing two separate criminal trials linked to serious financial allegations. The legal troubles began after Peter Okoye (Mr P), his younger brother and former P-Square bandmate, accused him of mismanaging the group’s finances. The dispute stems from the formation of a company called Northside Music Limited, which Jude allegedly created without informing his brothers.

In his testimony at the Federal High Court in Lagos, Peter claimed that between 2017 and 2021—when P-Square was disbanded—he had no access to the band’s finances, which were controlled by Jude. He alleged that Jude, along with his wife, diverted music royalties and withheld important financial records from him and Paul.

Peter also recounted a painful incident where he was denied access to group funds during a house project in Ikoyi. “When I asked why financing had stopped, I was told, ‘As you leave P-Square, you leave the money,’” he told the court.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed a seven-count charge against Jude and Northside Music Limited. The charges include laundering a total of N1.38 billion, over $1 million, and £34,537.59. The funds were allegedly used to buy a property in Ikoyi and were channeled through a Bureau De Change.

Jude, who pleaded not guilty, was remanded at Ikoyi Correctional Centre. His bail was set at N50 million with two sureties, and he was required to surrender both his Nigerian and St. Kitts & Nevis passports.

In a separate but related case being heard at the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Jude faces charges of converting over $1 million and £34,537.59 in digital royalties for personal use between 2016 and 2023. That trial will continue on May 16 and 23.

Jude’s lawyer, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Clement Onwuenwunor, has argued that the case is essentially a family dispute blown out of proportion. “This is more of a misunderstanding between directors than a criminal case,” he told the court, emphasizing Jude’s cooperation with investigators.

Peter Okoye is set to be cross-examined when the case resumes on June 4. Despite a brief musical reunion in 2021, the rift between the brothers appears to have deepened, fueling further legal drama and public attention.