Peter argued that Jude held no direct employment contract with the musical group and was not part of Psquare.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Afrobeats singer and one half of the defunct P-Square musical group, Peter Okoye, has admitted before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos that he received about $800,000 in royalties from SACEM—a French professional association that collects music royalties and distributes them to songwriters, composers, and publishers—but did not share the proceeds with his elder brother and former manager, Jude Okoye.
He made this known recently during testimony before Justice Alexander Owoeye while being cross-examined by Mr Clement Onwuewunor (SAN), counsel to Jude.
The singer, who testified virtually, said the royalty was intended solely for the performing artists—himself and his twin brother, Paul Okoye—arguing that Jude held no direct employment contract with the group and was not part of Psquare.
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His submission forms part of the ongoing trial in which Jude Okoye and his firm, Northside Music Limited, face a seven-count charge involving ₦1.3 billion and $1 million in fraud brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Jude has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
During questioning, Peter confirmed receiving Psquare royalty reports covering 2016 through 2022 from Jude following requests linked to potential buyers of the group’s music catalogue. While acknowledging that Jude directed several music videos, Peter maintained that all group songs were composed and produced strictly by himself and Paul.
Following the cross-examination, Justice Owoeye adjourned the case to 8 and 9 December 2026 for continuation of the trial.
