A former manager of the defunct hip-hop artists music group P-square, Jude Okoye and his company, Northside Music Limited, have been arraigned and remanded in prison on Tuesday by Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Special Offences Court for alleged theft.
The defendant is also an older brother of Peter Okoye now known as Mr. P and Paul Okoye, known as Rudeboy.
The duo is standing trial over fresh allegation of theft of $1,019,763.87 and £34,537.59.
Already, Jude Okoye and company are standing trial in a separate charge for theft by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, brought against him before Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi.
At the arraignment, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the four counts charge.
Part of the charge reads, “Jude Chidozie Okoye and Northside Music Limited sometime between 2016 and 2023 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court dishonestly converted to your own use, an aggregate sum of $767,544.15 (Seven hundred and sixty-seven thousand, Five hundred and forty-four Dollar, Fifteen cent) which sum was paid by Lex Records Limited as payment for music digital distripution/publishing royalties and with intent to permanently deprive Peter Obumuneme Okoye his special interest in the property.”
Count two reads, “Jude Chigozie Okoye and Northside Music Limited sometime between 2016 and 2023 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court dishonestly converied to your own use, an aggregate sum of GBP 34,537.59 (Thirty-four thousand, five hundred and thirty-seven Pounds, Fifty-nine pence) which sum was paid by Lex Records Limited as payment for music digital distribution/publishing royalties and with infent to permanently deprive Peter Obumuneme Okoye his special interest in the property.”
According to EFCC, the alleged offences contravene Sections 278 and 285 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos, 2011.
Following the not guilty plea, the Prosecution Counsel to the EFCC, Mohammed Bashir asked for a trial date.
But the Defence Counsel to the defendant, Clement Onwuenwnor SAN, informed the court that the defendant who is the alter ego of the company had filed a bail application and same as been served on the prosecutor on the 27th February, 2025.
The prosecution acknowledged receipt of the application and informed the court of his intention to respond.
The defence informed the court that the defendant has been arraigned and granted bail in a similar charge before the Federal High Court, Ikoyi.
Onwuenwnor stated that the defendant is a prominent entertainer in Nigeria and not a flight risk.
According to him, “The defendant is a prominent entertainer in this country and so he has nowhere to run to.
“For all of the two years EFCC has investigated this matter, he has not absconded or jumped administrative bail.”
He further appealed to the judge to kindly allow the defendant the bail granted by the EFCC and the court.
The judge said that he would hear the bail application on Thursday, 6 March, 2025.
Justice Oshodi however adjourned trial till May 16, 2025.
