Court Remands Jude Okoye in Prison Over Alleged Theft of $1M, £34,000
Jude Okoye, the former manager of the defunct music duo P-Square, has been remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS) after a Lagos State Special Offences Court ruling on Tuesday. This comes amid allegations of theft involving a total sum of $1,019,763.87 and £34,537.59.
Jude, who is the older brother of music artists Peter and Paul Okoye, was earlier granted bail by Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court in a separate fraud case. However, on Tuesday, he was arraigned before Justice Rahman Oshodi in the State High Court on fresh charges brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
He faces a seven-count charge of theft along with his company, Northside Music Ltd., in connection with the alleged conversion of funds intended for music royalties. The EFCC accused him of dishonestly converting large sums of money, including $767,544.15 paid by Lex Records Ltd. for digital distribution and publishing royalties, and the intention to deprive his younger brother, Peter Okoye, of his rightful interest in the royalties.
The EFCC also claims that between 2016 and 2023, Jude converted £34,537.59 from Lex Records Ltd., as well as $133,566.49 from Kobalt Music and $118,652.23 from Mtech Limited, all intended for music royalties, with the goal of permanently depriving Peter Okoye of his special interest.
The prosecutor, Mohammed Bashir, told the court that the offences contravened sections 278 and 285 of the Lagos State Laws.
Jude Okoye pleaded not guilty to the charges. His defense counsel, Clement Onwuenwunor (SAN), filed a bail application, urging the court to grant bail. The prosecutor, however, requested time to respond to the bail application, prompting the court to adjourn the matter until March 6, 2025, for the hearing of the bail request.
In the meantime, Jude Okoye remains in custody as the legal process continues.
