Proceedings in the ongoing trial of music executive Jude Okoye and his firm, Northside Music Limited, witnessed fresh tension on Friday at the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, presided over by Justice Rahman Oshodi.
Okoye is standing trial on a four-count charge of theft brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The anti-graft agency alleges that he diverted sums exceeding $1 million into Northside Music Limited, a company said to have been operated by him and his wife between 2016 and 2023. He has consistently denied the allegations, entering a not-guilty plea to all charges.
The hearing focused on the continued cross-examination of the prosecution’s first witness, Peter Okoye, Jude’s younger brother and one-half of the now-defunct music group, P-Square.
During the session, defence counsel, Clement Onwuenwunor (SAN), presented bank statements of Northside Music Limited to PW1 in an attempt to counter his testimony. The lawyer read out several transactions, detailing dates, beneficiaries, and amounts, drawing attention to multiple payments made directly to Peter Okoye.
According to the records, more than ten transactions were made to Peter Okoye between December 2022 and December 2023, with amounts ranging from N500,000 to N3.7 million. The statement also reflected a N2.5 million transfer to “Titilola (PW1’s wife)” as well as substantial payments to “Travelling Better,” including N8 million in January 2023 and N6.5 million in February 2023.
Responding to the line of questioning, Peter Okoye explained that the account in question was not exclusively operated by Jude Okoye. “This statement of account belongs to my brother and me. We are P-Square. The company belongs to Peter and Paul,” he told the court, noting that although the firm was registered by his brother, it was a joint business.
PW1 also confirmed that he petitioned the EFCC after discovering what he described as the diversion of funds. He further told the court that he uncovered the existence of another firm allegedly used for similar purposes.
“My lord, we own an entertainment company together, and I discovered another company diverting our funds called Northside Entertainment Company,” he said.
In addition, the witness disclosed that Jude Okoye’s wife holds a substantial shareholding in the company under trial, stating that she owns 800,000 shares.
As part of the defence strategy, Okoye’s counsel attempted to tender documents attached to the original petition submitted to the EFCC, arguing that they were crucial to the case. However, the prosecution, led by Bashir, opposed the move.
Bashir contended that the documents were public records from the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) but were only photocopies marked as Certified True Copies. He also argued that they were not properly attached to the original petition and failed to comply with legal requirements.
In a brief ruling, Justice Oshodi agreed with the prosecution’s objection, noting that although the documents originated from the CAC and were in EFCC custody, they did not meet the conditions for admissibility. “I reject the documents and mark them as rejected,” the judge ruled.
The court also heard that Peter Okoye submitted a separate statement to the EFCC after his lawyer filed the initial petition.
Justice Oshodi thereafter adjourned the matter to February 20 and 27, 2026, for the continuation of the trial.
