Singer Peter Okoye of the defunct music group, P-Square, has told the Federal High Court in Lagos that he received about $800,000 in royalties from French music rights organisation, SACEM. He however maintained that his elder brother, Jude Okoye, was not entitled to the money. Peter made the disclosure while……
Singer Peter Okoye of the defunct music group, P-Square, has told the Federal High Court in Lagos that he received about $800,000 in royalties from French music rights organisation, SACEM.
He however maintained that his elder brother, Jude Okoye, was not entitled to the money.
Peter made the disclosure while testifying virtually before Justice Alexander Owoeye during cross-examination by Clement Onwuewunor, SAN, counsel to Jude.
The testimony was contained in a report by The Nation.
SACEM is a French professional association responsible for collecting and distributing royalties to songwriters, composers and publishers.
Jude Okoye and his company, Northside Music Limited, are facing a seven-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over alleged fraud involving N1.3 billion and $1 million.
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Jude has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
During the resumed proceedings, Peter was questioned about his earlier testimony that Jude took more than three months to provide P-Square’s back-end royalty records after he requested them in 2022.
Counsel to Jude put it to Peter that he requested the records on October 16, 2022, and that Jude obtained and forwarded them six days later, on October 22.
Peter disagreed, insisting that he had made the request earlier in 2022.
When asked to produce a text message, email or other document showing that the request was made before October 16, 2022, Peter said: “No. I don’t have any and I can’t recall.”
He confirmed receiving the royalty report sent by Jude and acknowledged that it covered payments between 2016 and 2022, including records relating to Lex Records.
According to Peter, the report was requested because some individuals were interested in purchasing the P-Square music catalogue.
He also acknowledged that Jude forwarded the account information to him in 2022 and that the EFCC was aware that the report had been sent.
However, Peter disputed Jude’s entitlement to royalties paid through SACEM, maintaining that the payments belonged to him and his twin brother, Paul Okoye.
Counsel put it to him that the SACEM contract was signed by Jude rather than Peter or Paul.
Peter maintained that the agreement was signed by “the team”, insisting that Jude was not part of the team.
He agreed that the 10 songs for which SACEM paid royalties were P-Square songs.
Peter further told the court that he had previously paid Jude a quarter of his SACEM share but denied that Jude demanded quarterly payments after their reconciliation in 2022.
When counsel put it to him that he received approximately $800,000 from SACEM between 2016 and 2026, Peter agreed but insisted that the money was solely for the artists.
Asked whether he informed Jude about the payments, Peter replied: “No, the money was for the artists.”
On Jude’s role as manager of the group, Peter said he had no employment contract with his elder brother, explaining that their arrangement was through Northside Entertainment Limited.
When asked whether Jude was a member of P-Square, Peter replied: “Jude is not part of P-Square.”
Counsel further asked whether this meant Jude had no involvement in P-Square’s music.
Peter maintained that he and Paul composed, wrote and produced all the group’s songs, while acknowledging that Jude directed some of their music videos.
Justice Owoeye adjourned the case until December 8 and 9, 2026, for further hearing.
