Singer Peter Okoye of the defunct music group P-Square has confirmed receiving over $800,000 in royalties from SACEM, a French professional association that collects music royalties. However, he admitted that he never gave his elder brother Jude his share of the royalties. This revelation was made during a cross-examination by Jude's lawyer, Mr. Clement Onwuewunor, before Justice Alexander Owoeye of a Federal High Court in Lagos.
The case involves Jude Okoye and his company, Northside Music Limited, who are being tried on allegations of N1.3 billion and $1 million fraud by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Jude had pleaded not guilty to the seven-count charge made against him and his company. Peter, who was cross-examined virtually, was questioned about his earlier claim that it took Jude over three months to send P-Square's backend royalty records to him when he requested it in 2022.
Peter disagreed with Jude's counsel, who stated that Jude obtained and sent the records to him six days after Peter's request on October 16, 2022. However, when asked to produce a text message, email, or document showing that he had made the request before October 16, 2022, Peter admitted that he didn't have any and couldn't recall. He further confirmed that he received the royalty report sent by Jude, which covered royalties from 2016 through 2022, including records relating to Lex Records.
The report was requested in connection with people who were interested in buying the P-Square music catalogue. Peter also admitted that Jude had forwarded the account information to him in 2022 and that the EFCC was aware that the report had been sent to him. However, Peter disputed Jude's entitlement to royalties paid through SACEM, saying that the payments belonged to him and his twin brother, Paul.
Peter maintained that the SACEM contract was signed by "the team," insisting that Jude was not part of the team. He also admitted that the 10 songs for which SACEM paid royalties were P-Square songs. Peter confirmed that he had previously paid a quarter of his SACEM share to Jude but denied that Jude demanded quarterly payments from the royalties after their reconciliation in 2022.
When confronted with the claim that he had received approximately $800,000 from SACEM between 2016 and 2026, Peter admitted receiving the money but said that nothing was given to his brother, stating that the money was for the artists. He also stated that he had no employment contract with Jude, explaining that the arrangement was through Northside Entertainment Limited.
The case has been adjourned to December 8 and 9, 2026, for further hearing. Peter's testimony has shed more light on the ongoing crisis between the Okoye brothers, who were once part of the popular music group P-Square. The group's music catalogue has seen a surge in interest amid the renewed rift between the brothers.
Key points
- Peter Okoye admits to receiving $800,000 in royalties from SACEM but denies sharing with his brother Jude.
- Jude Okoye and his company are being tried on allegations of N1.3 billion and $1 million fraud.
- The case has been adjourned to December 8 and 9, 2026, for further hearing.
