Peter of P-square testifies against brother in fraud case – Newstrends
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Peter of P-square testifies against brother in fraud case

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1 month ago

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Jude, Mr P. and Rudeboy

Peter of P-square testifies against brother in fraud case

The trial of Jude Okoye, former Manager of Psquare group, over alleged money laundering to the tune of N1.38 billion, $1 million and £34,537.59, commenced, yesterday, before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, with his younger brother, Peter Okoye, testifying against him.

Jude alongside his company, Northside Music Limited, are being tried by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a seven-count charge of the offences.

Trial judge in the matter is Justice Alexander Owoeye.

His trial followed a petition written to the commission by his brother, Peter.

One of the charges reads: “That you, Jude Okoye and Northside Music Limited sometime in 2022, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this court, did directly acquire a landed property known as No 5, Tony Eromosele Street Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos worth N850million only, which money you knew or reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful act and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 (2) (d) and punishable under Section 18 (3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
Meanwhile, Jude had denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to all charges.

At the resumed hearing of the matter, the first prosecution witness, Peter, who introduced himself as Peter Obumuneme Okoye, while being led in evidence by the prosecutor, Aso Larrys Peters, told the court, how his brother, Jude defrauded him.

In his evidence, he said: “He’s my elder brother and former manager to the group called P-square
“Sometimes in 2017, the group P-square disbanded, we were apart for nearly 5-years plus. In November 2021, the group came back.

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“We were part for 5-years 2017-2021. Psquare started in 1997-98. Before Jude became our manager, we had several managers who includes Chioma Ugochi. She managed us when we were in secondary – University studies. We also had late Bayo Odusami of Mbuntu music, he managed us for 5-years. After myself and twin brother managed ourselves for couple of months, before we decided that he (Jude) managed us and Northside Entertainment Ltd.

“So, we continued running our business and sometimes we started having issues on how he run the business. The issues were mainly on how he was the sole signatory to all our bank accounts in Ecobank, Zenith and FCMB.

“Whenever we had these issues for couples of months, I did not have access to money. Not until when Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN, now Minister of Aviation, who was our lawyer came up that we have should have a sharing formula.
“There was a scenario that happened when we were building our houses in Ikoyi, whereby it was only defendant can signed out money. The finance of the house project was by Northwest Entertainment Ltd, but they just stopped financing my house for six months.

“The accounts were owned by the company, while the defendant was the only signatory to all the accounts. Within that six months, when we came back, I approached the defendant and my twin brother, Paul, and asked why they stopped financing my project. What I heard from them was as I left P-Square, I left the money’. With that comment, I approached our lawyer, Keyamo, who asked me that if I wanted to buy phone, I needed to ask the first defendant. All our money was in Northside Entertainment which he was the sole signatory.

“Sometimes in 2017, the group disbanded after 5 years, November 17, 2021, there was a reunion again, and this time, the defendant was no longer managing us. I discovered that there was a company similar to ours, Northside Music Limited, and by ending of 2022, I made discovery when some people wanted to acquire our albums, and these individuals demanded for our statement of account to know how much the albums generates monthly, because I don’t have access to ‘backend.’ Then I went to my twin brother, Paul, who replied ‘You know that I don’t know anything about it but Jude, I said let’s go him, he then said he would go and meet him then I left him.”

He said a few weeks later, he approached Paul again and asked ‘have you contacted Jude, he said Paul told him that he did not have the time, and thereafter, approached Jude again, who told him that his share of money was with some people in South Africa, and he replied that he was not asking for money but backend and the statement of accounts again, there’s no positive response.

Peter further told the court that based on the defendant’s response, he knew that something was going on, he then asked the accounts officers in both Eco Bank and Zenith Bank, adding that when he could not get a satisfactory response from the account officers.

Peter of P-square testifies against brother in fraud case

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Actress seeks help after six years of homelessness

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3 days ago

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May 14, 2025

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Jumoke George

Actress seeks help after six years of homelessness

Veteran Nollywood actress, Jumoke George, has revealed the heartbreaking reality of her life over the past six years, marked by health struggles, homelessness, and the disappearance of her daughter.

In an emotional interview on the TalkToB show hosted by fellow actress Abiola Adebayo, Jumoke broke down in tears as she shared how illness and financial hardship forced her out of her home and into a church, where she has secretly lived for six years.

“There are some things that are embarrassing to say but at this point, I have no choice. I want to speak out. I am working but it’s not like I get jobs every time,” she said tearfully.

“Sometimes, it could be once in three to four months. That was before I became ill. After I became ill, I couldn’t go for a set I was invited to. Someone paid me since last year, I didn’t know I would get sick, I spent the money on treatment. I had to borrow money to refund the person.

“I went to another location but I couldn’t work. They had to bring me back because of my health. I’ve done several tests. I was told to do some more which will cost about N400,000. I don’t know where to get the money from.”

Forced into the church after eviction

Jumoke disclosed that after being unable to meet her rent obligations, she was evicted from her apartment and found temporary shelter in a church.

“The house rent became high and I couldn’t afford it anymore. The landlord told me to leave, I begged but what can I do?” she said.

She explained how the church leadership provided her with a small space to stay, which she tried to keep hidden from the public out of embarrassment.

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“Daddy told me to bring my things to a place he got for me but it was too small, it couldn’t even contain my things, so I had to put my luggage with different people. The things I worked for all my life were just getting spoilt.

“I was given a small room to manage, so I didn’t let people know where I was staying, except a few people who I didn’t even take to the room.

“Everyone in the church has access to the room. I only welcomed guests in daddy’s living room downstairs where they hold events like harvest.

“So, I’ve been living in the church for about six years. This is where I put my mattress to sleep,” she said, pointing at a space on the floor inside the church.

“It’s mummy church that gives me food to eat most times. Daddy died about two years ago, mummy church has also been trying. She buys drug for me and boils herbs for me.

“I’ve been living in the church. I couldn’t speak up because it was shameful. I was embarrassed,” she added.

Daughter missing, son in debt

Adding to her emotional pain, Jumoke revealed that her daughter, Adeola, has been missing for four years.

“My first child, Adeola, has been missing. I’ve been looking for her for the past four years. Any small money I get from working was spent on looking for her.

“She was in Ibadan where she was working and living with my mother. So my mother just called me one day to say that she hasn’t seen Deola who said she was coming to meet me in Lagos. I said I haven’t seen her,” she said.

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Jumoke recalled receiving a call from her daughter with a strange number, during which Adeola asked for forgiveness and explained that she had migrated with friends in search of better opportunities, only to face unforeseen difficulties.

“Then one day she called me with a strange number, I had no idea where she was calling from, she said I should forgive her. I asked to know where she was, she said I should just forgive her that she doesn’t know where her journey will lead her to.

“She said some of her friends told her that they should travel to a certain country that she didn’t mention to find greener pasture but when they got there, they met a different situation.

“Since then, I haven’t heard anything from her. I’m the one taking care of her children because I’ve not seen the father of the children since they separated when the children were younger. I don’t have his number, I don’t know his town, I don’t know where to find him. She was born in 1984, she clocked 41 on May 1, this year. If she was here, at least we’ll be managing together.”

Her son, Ife, has also taken on the financial burden of supporting her despite his limited means.

“Ife has also been assisting me. He has tried. I have put him in so much debt.

“He has borrowed a lot to transfer to me. The money he has borrowed for me is close to N2 million. I’m worried about him. Let them not sack him at work.

“His salary is small but he has been trying to take care of me. He is searching relentlessly for his sister too,” Jumoke said.

A plea for support and prayers

Jumoke, emotionally drained, concluded the interview by appealing to the public for prayers and emotional support, expressing her fear that her challenges may be spiritual.

“I am tired. I have tried my best as a believer. Even with my ill health, I have been fasting and praying. I don’t understand again, whether it is spiritual or not.

“Please pray for me, mothers in this world. Help me with your prayers. I need prayers. I have never ruined anyone life. I am tired, I can no longer bare it. No house, nothing, and a whole child is missing. Pain is not good. Please people pray for me,” she pleaded.

Jumoke’s story is a stark reminder of the silent battles many public figures face behind the scenes, and a call to society to respond with empathy, support, and action.

 

Actress seeks help after six years of homelessness

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Ogunwusi, Soyinka laud Tinubu for creating cultural-friendly environment

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4 days ago

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May 13, 2025

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Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi

Ogunwusi, Soyinka laud Tinubu for creating cultural-friendly environment

Ooni of Ife  Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, has hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his administration’s growing recognition of culture as a vital pillar of national identity, unity and international diplomacy.

The monarch, who is the Global Patron of the World Orisha Congress (WOOCON), expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for creating a cultural-friendly environment and giving formal recognition to traditional heritage and spiritual institutions across the country.

“We are grateful that this administration is giving rightful recognition to our culture,” the Ooni declared. “Culture is the soul of a people. Without it, we have no identity. President Tinubu’s leadership is not only helping to reposition our cultural values on the global stage, but also bringing us back to the very essence of our existence,” he added.

Oba Ogunwusi, who spoke at a conference held at the Brazilian Consulate in Lagos,  organised by the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), as part of preparations for the upcoming global cultural exchange between Nigeria and Brazil under the auspices of WOOCON, called for religious tolerance among adherents of  religions, saying humanity should be paramount in all that religion stood for.

The Ife monarch urged the Yoruba across the globe to reconnect with one another in order to shift global perceptions about Orisa, saying Orisa was a propellant energy that no one could survive without.

Brazilian Consular in Lagos, Ambassador Carlos José Areias Moreno Garcete, lauded the historical and spiritual connections between Brazil and Nigeria, particularly through the shared Yoruba heritage that continued to thrive across both nations.

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Executive Secretary/CEO, National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) and Secretary of the WOOCON Board of Trustees (BOT), Otunba Biodun Ajiboye, emphasised the global cultural renaissance currently taking shape and the pivotal role Nigeria must play in the unfolding narrative.

“WOOCON is not just a congress—it’s a movement to reclaim and redefine African cultural consciousness and identity. This ground-breaking initiative is going to be one of the global cultural festivals that will reposition Nigeria as a major tourism destination in the world by exploring new opportunities in cultural and spiritual tourism that can generate over 10 billion USD annually for the country in the next three years if planned well.

“Nigeria’s decision to collaborate with Brazil in the area of culture, tradition and heritage is informed by the deep historical and cultural connections that exist between the two nations.

“These cultural similarities are specifically profound and undeniable in the area of Yoruba heritage where thousands of Brazilians have over the years, visited Nigeria to participate in major cultural and religious festivals such as the Osun Oshogbo Festival, the Olojo Festival, and Sango Festival to mention a few.

“These interactions reaffirm the strong ancestral ties between our people and highlight the need for structured engagements that will further solidify these bonds. Interestingly, it is not just Brazil but a whole lot of other countries in the Caribbean’s”, Otunba noted.

Two eminent cultural icons who are Patrons of WOOCON; Prof Wole Soyinka and Prof Wande Abimbola lent their voices for the movement.

While the Nobel laureate reaffirmed the importance of intellectual and spiritual engagement in reviving the African culture, Prof. Abimbola, a renowned Yoruba scholar, who joined virtually from the United States, spoke passionately about the Orisha tradition as a global spiritual system that must be preserved and respected across continents.

Soyinka alluded to the fact that culture defines people and nationalities. He opined that this consciousness is long overdue and appreciates the President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for encouraging and supporting this initiative, saying it is sincerely a step to greatness and global boost in tourism revenue and relevance.

The gathering marked a significant moment in advancing Nigeria’s cultural diplomacy and underscored the commitment of WOOCON to building bridges between Africa and the diaspora through shared heritage, spirituality, and collaboration.

 

Ogunwusi, Soyinka laud Tinubu for creating cultural-friendly environment

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How I made N70m in 72hrs after fight with Speed Darlington – Portable

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4 days ago

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May 12, 2025

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Portable knocks out Speed Darlington in 1st Round (VID)

How I made N70m in 72hrs after fight with Speed Darlington – Portable

Controversial singer Portable has revealed he earned N70 million from his recent celebrity boxing match against fellow entertainer Speed Darlington.

He said, “Them first give me N30M make I accept say I go fight. Them come say, if I win, N20M, that’s 50. Na him uncle Burna, after I fight I beat am [Speed Darlington] I even wound am, send 20 million. I use him make N70 million around 3 days.”

The highly publicized match, which ended with Portable securing a technical knockout victory, caught the attention of social media users, largely due to the ongoing rivalry between the two artists.

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Portable explained that he was initially offered N30 million just to accept the fight challenge. Upon winning, he was awarded an additional N20 million as a prize. Further, after his victory, Burna Boy, who has had a rocky relationship with Speed Darlington, sent him an extra N20 million.

All of this added up to N70 million in total earnings for Portable in a span of just three days.

The fight itself was the climax of a long-standing feud between the two stars, which began when Speed Darlington offered Portable N500,000 to perform at his concert. Portable turned down the offer, citing his performance fee of N20 million.

How I made N70m in 72hrs after fight with Speed Darlington – Portable

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