P-Square Feud: Peter Okoye’s Absence Delays Jude Okoye’s N1.3bn Fraud Trial

P-Square Feud: Peter Okoye’s Absence Delays Jude Okoye’s N1.3bn Fraud Trial

The N1.3 billion fraud trial involving former P-Square manager Jude Okoye suffered a setback on Wednesday after his younger brother and key prosecution witness, Peter Okoye, failed to appear before the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, for cross-examination.

Jude Okoye and his company, Northside Music Limited, are facing a seven-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations involving N1.38 billion, $1 million and £34,537.59. Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

At the resumed hearing before Justice Alexander Owoeye, EFCC counsel G.C. Akaogu informed the court that Peter Okoye, popularly known as Mr P, could not attend the proceedings because his flight from Abuja to Lagos had been rescheduled.

According to Akaogu, the development was communicated to the defence team before the commencement of the hearing.

However, defence counsel, Clement Onwuewunor (SAN), disputed the explanation, telling the court that information available to the defence suggested that Peter was already in Lagos and had not travelled as claimed by the prosecution.

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The senior advocate further lamented that he had cancelled other professional engagements outside Lagos in preparation for the hearing, only to be informed of the witness’s absence.

Following submissions from both parties, Justice Owoeye adjourned the matter until September 21, 2026, for the continuation of trial and Peter Okoye’s cross-examination.

The high-profile case stems from a petition filed by Peter Okoye against his elder brother, accusing him of financial misconduct and the alleged diversion of revenues generated from the former P-Square music catalogue.

Peter had earlier testified that concerns about the management of the group’s finances emerged after the brothers reunited following their initial split. According to him, investigations into the operations of companies linked to the group’s business affairs prompted him to report the matter to the anti-graft agency.

During his testimony, Peter alleged that certain royalty payments and music revenues were channelled through entities that were unknown to him, leading to questions about the handling of earnings generated by the duo’s music business.

The trial has attracted significant public attention due to revelations made during earlier proceedings. Under cross-examination, Peter reportedly admitted that he was a co-signatory to the bank account of Northside Entertainment Limited, a development that defence lawyers argued contradicted suggestions that Jude had sole control over the company’s finances.

The defence has continued to challenge aspects of Peter’s testimony, relying on financial documents and corporate records presented before the court.

Despite the allegations, Jude Okoye has consistently denied any wrongdoing and has maintained his innocence since the commencement of the trial.

The court is expected to hear further evidence when proceedings resume in September, with Peter Okoye anticipated to return to the witness box for continued cross-examination.

The case remains one of the most closely watched legal disputes in Nigeria’s entertainment industry, given its connection to the long-running P-Square feud and the involvement of two of Africa’s most successful music stars.

P-Square Feud: Peter Okoye’s Absence Delays Jude Okoye’s N1.3bn Fraud Trial