Entertainment
Peter of P-square testifies against brother in fraud case
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
Entertainment
Hollywood director Rob Reiner, wife Michele found dead in LA home
Hollywood director Rob Reiner, wife Michele found dead in LA home
Legendary Hollywood film-maker and actor Rob Reiner and his wife Michele have been found dead in their Los Angeles home.
Authorities are investigating the incident as an apparent homicide after police and firefighters were called to the couple’s house on Sunday afternoon in an upmarket neighbourhood of LA.
Reiner is known for directing classic films including The Princess Bride, This is Spinal Tap, When Harry Met Sally, Misery and A Few Good Men.
“It is with profound sorrow that we announce the tragic passing of Michele and Rob Reiner,” a family spokesperson said in a statement to US media.
“We are heartbroken by this sudden loss, and we ask for privacy during this unbelievably difficult time.”
Police said a 78-year-old man and 68-year-old woman were pronounced dead at the home, but officers did not immediately identify the couple or the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
Police also said no-one had been arrested, but that no suspect or person of interest was currently being sought.
A spokesperson for the Los Angeles Fire Department told the BBC they received a call at about 15:38 local time (23:38 GMT) for medical aid to a home in Brentwood, a neighbourhood that is home to many celebrities.
Robbery homicide detectives from the LA police department also responded to the home and have opened a homicide investigation.
In a news conference on Sunday night, police did not offer any details about the deaths or what they found when they responded. Deputy Chief Alan Hamilton said both bodies were still inside the house, more than six hours after police and firefighters had been called.
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Police also did not give details about any injuries the pair sustained, nor if any weapon was found or used. Hamilton said a cause of death would be determined by the LA coroner’s office.
‘Big-hearted genius’
California Governor Gavin Newsom released a statement that confirmed the death of Reiner and his wife.
Newsom said he was “heartbroken” by the deaths and called Reiner a “big-hearted genius behind so many of the classic stories we love”.
Former US President Barack Obama said he and wife Michelle were also heartbroken by the couple’s deaths.
“Rob’s achievements in film and television gave us some of our most cherished stories on screen,” he said. “But beneath all of the stories he produced was a deep belief in the goodness of people – and a lifelong commitment to putting that belief into action.
“Together, he and his wife lived lives defined by purpose. They will be remembered for the values they championed and the countless people they inspired. We send our deepest condolences to all who loved them.”
Rob Reiner, the son of comedy great Carl Reiner, started his career in the 1960s and made it big playing Meathead in groundbreaking TV sitcom All in The Family in the 1970s, which scored him two Emmy Awards.
He achieved futher success with cult mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap in 1984, which he directed as well as playing on-screen director Marty DiBergi.
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That began a run of classic Hollywood movies directed by Reiner, including Stand By Me (1986), The Princess Bride (1987), When Harry Met Sally (1989), Misery (1990) and A Few Good Men (1992), the latter of which scored him an Academy Award nomination for best picture.
He reunited with Spinal Tap for long-awaited sequel Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, which was released this September.
Reiner also co-founded the successful Castle Rock Entertainment production company.
He was married to Laverne & Shirley actress Penny Marshall from 1971 to 1981 and is the adoptive father to Marshall’s daughter, actress Tracy Reiner.
He married Michele Reiner, an actress, photographer and producer, in 1989. The couple have three children together.
Michele owned the Reiner Light photography agency and production house.
LA mayor Karen Bass called the incident a “devastating loss for our city and country”, and paid tribute to the couple’s charity work for childhood development and LGBTQ+ advocacy.
“Rob Reiner’s contributions reverberate throughout American culture and society, and he has improved countless lives through his creative work and advocacy fighting for social and economic justice,” she said.
Hollywood director Rob Reiner, wife Michele found dead in LA home
Source: BBC
Entertainment
$1m Theft Trial: Jude Okoye’s Wife Owns 800,000 Shares as Peter Testifies in Court
$1m Theft Trial: Jude Okoye’s Wife Owns 800,000 Shares as Peter Testifies in Court
The ongoing $1 million theft trial involving Jude Okoye and Northside Music Limited took a dramatic turn on Friday as Peter Okoye of P-Square told the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja that his elder brother’s wife owns 800,000 shares in Northside Music Limited, the company at the centre of the case.
Peter, the first prosecution witness, appeared before Justice Rahman Oshodi, where he gave evidence against Jude Okoye, the former manager of the P-Square music duo of Peter and Paul Okoye. Jude and Northside Music Limited are standing trial on four counts of alleged fund diversion, to which the defendants have pleaded not guilty.
During cross-examination by defence counsel Clement Onwuenwunor (SAN), bank statements linked to Northside Music Limited were presented to the witness. Peter, however, insisted that the accounts represented the joint business interests of P-Square, stressing that the company belongs to him and his twin brother, Paul Okoye.
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“These statements of account belong to me and my brother. We are P-Square. The company belongs to Peter and Paul. It was registered by him,” Peter told the court.
He further disclosed that he petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after discovering that funds were allegedly being diverted through another entity, Northside Entertainment Company.
“I reported to the EFCC when I discovered funds were being diverted,” he said, confirming that he filed the petition through his lawyer and later made a formal statement to the anti-graft agency.
Peter also confirmed under oath that Jude Okoye’s wife holds 800,000 shares in Northside Music Limited, a revelation that added fresh twists to the family and corporate dispute.
Meanwhile, the defence attempted to tender documents related to the original EFCC petition, but the prosecution counsel, M.K. Bashir, objected on the grounds that the documents were not legally admissible, despite being marked as Certified True Copies.
Justice Rahman Oshodi upheld the objection, ruling that the documents failed to meet the required legal standards.
“I reject the documents and mark them as rejected,” the judge ruled.
The court adjourned the matter, with the trial scheduled to continue on February 20 and 27, 2026, as the high-profile P-Square legal battle continues to unfold.
$1m Theft Trial: Jude Okoye’s Wife Owns 800,000 Shares as Peter Testifies in Court
Entertainment
2Baba Breaks Silence, Accuses Family of Fueling Marital Crisis With Wife Natasha
2Baba Breaks Silence, Accuses Family of Fueling Marital Crisis With Wife Natasha
Nigerian music legend Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Baba or 2Face, has publicly addressed the escalating controversy surrounding his marriage to his wife, Natasha Idibia, accusing some members of his family of worsening the situation under the guise of trying to “save” him.
The marital dispute, which has dominated social media conversations in recent days, reportedly began in the United Kingdom, where Natasha was allegedly heard raising her voice during a heated argument with the singer. The confrontation, according to circulating reports, drew the attention of UK authorities and led to 2Baba’s brief arrest.
Tensions heightened further after a dramatic exchange between the couple during an Instagram Live session hosted by broadcaster Daddy Freeze. The live video, which quickly went viral, showed the couple trading accusations in a manner that alarmed fans and sparked widespread debate about the state of their marriage.
Compounding the situation were comments made by 2Baba’s brother, Hyacinth Idibia, which many interpreted as a sign that the Idibia family had become actively involved in the crisis and increasingly concerned about the singer’s wellbeing.
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However, in a strongly worded video released on social media, 2Baba pushed back, insisting he does not need rescuing and accusing some family members of aggravating the situation and damaging Natasha’s reputation.
“This whole thing has gotten dangerously out of hand. I’m not going to be quiet anymore,” he said. “I am a grown man. My family, under the pretext of trying to save me, has actually destroyed me and killed someone’s daughter’s character. Natasha is getting death threats right now.”
He continued: “Yes, we argue — who doesn’t argue with their spouse? But this is getting out of hand. I am perfectly okay. I recently did my show in Abuja, and a lot of people were there. How do you claim you want to save me but are messing everything up?”
2Baba also referenced past tensions involving his ex-wife, Annie Idibia, saying the ongoing pattern of family interference had become dangerous.
His remarks have generated fresh debate, splitting fans and observers between those urging his family to step back and those calling for more intervention to ensure emotional and physical safety for everyone involved.
The controversy continues to dominate online spaces, with many expressing deep concern over the emotional strain on the singer and his wife.
2Baba Breaks Silence, Accuses Family of Fueling Marital Crisis With Wife Natasha
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