Jude Okoye, the elder brother and former manager of the defunct music group P-Square, has been remanded in the Ikoyi Custodial Centre over alleged theft of $1,019,762.86 and £34,537.59. Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Ikeja Special Offences Court ordered Jude’s remand pending the hearing of his bail application, scheduled for March 6.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Jude on a four-count charge of converting the said amounts, alongside his company, Northside Music Limited.
Jude pleaded not guilty to the charges, and his counsel, Climate Onwuenwunor (SAN), did not object to the prosecutor’s request for a trial date. The prosecutor, M. K Bashir, revealed that they have 29 witnesses, with 10 expected to testify within the jurisdiction. He prayed the court for a trial date, stating that the prosecution is ready to proceed with the case.
The alleged theft is reported to have occurred while Jude was managing P-Square. The group consisted of his brothers, Peter and Paul Okoye. The case has generated significant interest in the entertainment industry, with many fans and colleagues of the Okoye brothers eagerly following the developments. “My Lord, we are fully prepared for the trial. My Lord the defendant has an application dated February 27, 2025.
“The defendant was first arraigned and granted bail at the Federal High Court.I have shared the copy of the CTC of that ruling with my learned friend the prosecutor. “I plead if the bail application can also be applied to this matter, I ask for a short date for hearing and for the defendant to still remain on the administrative bail granted by the EFCC pending the hearing,” he pleaded.
