Singer Peter Okoye has admitted receiving over $800,000 in royalties from SACEM for P-Square’s musical works, but said he did not give his elder brother, Jude Okoye, any share of the money.
Peter made the disclosure while testifying virtually before Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court in Lagos, during cross examination by Jude’s lawyer, Clement Onwuewunor, SAN.
Jude and his company, Northside Music Limited, are facing a seven-count charge over alleged N1.3 billion and $1 million(₦1.33 billion) fr@ud brought by the EFCC. He pleaded not guilty.
During Tuesday’s proceedings, Peter was questioned over his claim that Jude took more than three months to provide P-Square’s backend royalty records after he requested them in 2022. When told that the request was made on October 16 and the records were sent six days later, Peter insisted he had requested them earlier.
However, when asked to produce evidence of an earlier request, he admitted, “No. I don’t have any and I can’t recall.”
Peter confirmed receiving the royalty report, which covered payments from 2016 to 2022, and said it was requested because some people were interested in buying the P-Square music catalogue.
He also acknowledged receiving about $800,000 from SACEM but maintained that Jude was not entitled to the money, insisting it belonged to him and his twin brother, Paul.
Asked whether he informed Jude about the payments, Peter replied, “No, the money was for the artists.”
He further insisted that Jude was not a member of P-Square, saying,“Jude is not part of P-Square.”
Peter acknowledged that Jude directed some of P-Square’s music videos but maintained that he and Paul composed, wrote and produced the group’s songs.
The court adjourned further hearing to December 8 and 9, 2026.
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