Jude Okoye, elder brother and former manager of the defunct music duo P-Square, has finally been released from prison — nearly two months after he was arrested over allegations of mismanaging over N1.3 billion in royalties.
The Economic and Financial Crime Commission had arraigned him before Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi on a seven-count charge bordering on money laundering and illegal diversion of funds. They claimed the money, which came from P-Square’s royalties, was used to buy a luxury property in Ikoyi and fund other personal expenses.
Jude wasn’t alone in the mess — his company, Northside Music Limited, was also dragged into the case.
After reviewing his bail application, the court granted him bail on the condition that two sureties present property documents within the court’s jurisdiction and each post N100 million. A travel ban was also imposed.
But that wasn’t the end. On March 6, he faced similar charges again, this time before Justice Ramon Oshodi at the Special Offences Court in Ikeja. That court also granted him bail — N50 million each from two sureties, another travel restriction, and the confiscation of both his Nigerian and St. Kitts & Nevis passports.
After finally meeting all the bail conditions from both courts, Jude was released from the Ikoyi Correctional Facility at 5:40 p.m on Wednesday.
His younger brother Paul Okoye and P-Square’s official lawyer, Barrister Somadina Eugene Okorie, were waiting to receive him. From there, they headed to their Ikoyi mansion, where a quiet celebration followed.
