Peter Okoye Admits Receiving $800,000 P-Square Royalties, Says Jude Got Nothing
Singer Peter Okoye of the defunct music duo P-Square has told a Federal High Court in Lagos that he received about $800,000 in royalties from the French copyright organisation SACEM for the group’s musical works, but insisted that his elder brother and former manager, Jude Okoye, received nothing from the payment.
Peter made the disclosure while giving evidence virtually before Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court, Lagos, during cross-examination by Jude’s lawyer, Clement Onwuewunor, SAN.
The development forms part of the ongoing criminal trial involving Jude Okoye and his company, Northside Music Limited, who are facing a seven-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged financial offences involving about ₦1.3 billion and $1 million.
Jude has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
During Tuesday’s proceedings, Peter was questioned about his earlier allegation that Jude took more than three months to provide backend royalty records relating to P-Square’s music after he requested them in 2022.
However, when confronted with evidence that a request was made on October 16 and that the records were supplied just six days later, Peter maintained that he had made an earlier request.
Under further questioning, the singer admitted that he could not produce evidence of the alleged earlier request and said he could not remember when exactly it was made.
Peter confirmed that he eventually received a royalty report covering payments made between 2016 and 2022.
According to him, the records were sought at a time when some individuals were showing interest in purchasing the P-Square music catalogue.
The testimony became particularly significant when Peter acknowledged that he had received approximately $800,000 from SACEM.
When asked whether Jude was entitled to a share of the money, Peter disagreed and maintained that the royalties belonged to him and his twin brother, Paul Okoye, as the artistes behind P-Square’s music.
Asked whether he informed Jude about the payments, Peter reportedly responded: “No, the money was for the artists.”
He also rejected the suggestion that Jude was part of P-Square, stating: “Jude is not part of P-Square.”
Peter, however, acknowledged Jude’s involvement in the group’s activities, particularly his role in directing some of P-Square’s music videos.
He maintained that while Jude directed some of the videos, he and Paul were responsible for composing, writing and producing the songs performed by P-Square.
The testimony has brought another layer to the long-running dispute surrounding the brothers, whose musical partnership made P-Square one of Nigeria’s most successful music acts before their highly publicised separation.
For fans who watched the twins rise from young performers to international stars, the courtroom exchange highlights how questions surrounding music ownership, royalties, management and contributions to the group continue to feature in disputes involving the family.
Global Mirror News reports that the court has adjourned further hearing in the matter to December 8 and 9, 2026, when proceedings are expected to continue.
The allegations before the court remain matters for judicial determination, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty by the court.
