The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, arraigned Jude Chigozie Okoye, the older brother and former manager of popular music duo Peter and Paul Okoye, on fresh charges of stealing over $1 million and £34,537.59.
Okoye was brought before Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos, alongside his company, Northside Music Ltd. The charges against him include four counts of fraudulent conversion of music royalties, allegedly committed between 2016 and 2023.
The EFCC alleges that Okoye misappropriated funds meant for digital distribution and publishing royalties. Specifically, he is accused of dishonestly converting $767,544.15 paid by Lex Records Limited and £34,537.59 from the same company. He is also alleged to have diverted an additional $133,566.49 from Kobalt Music Services Limited and $118,652.23 from Mtech Limited.
Okoye, who is also facing a separate seven-count charge before Justice A.O. Owoeye of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, pleaded not guilty to the fresh charges.
Following his plea, EFCC prosecutor M.K. Bashir requested a trial date and urged the court to remand Okoye in a correctional facility. However, defense counsel Clement Onwenwnor, SAN, informed the court of a pending bail application and requested that his client remain in EFCC custody until the hearing.
“He was just arraigned before Justice Owoeye of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi on a similar matter and was granted bail on March 3, 2025,” Onwenwnor argued.
Bashir opposed the request, insisting that Okoye should be remanded in the correctional facility since he had already taken his plea.
Justice Oshodi adjourned the bail hearing to March 6, 2025, while the trial is set to commence on May 16 and 23, 2025. In the meantime, Okoye has been ordered to be remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre.
This latest development adds to the legal troubles facing Okoye, who has been at the center of financial disputes within the Nigerian music industry. The trial is expected to shed more light on the alleged mismanagement of music royalties and its impact on artists.
— The Lagos Times
