Precious Nwonu, Enugu
Singer Peter Okoye, one half of the defunct music duo P-Square, has told the Federal High Court in Lagos that he received more than $800,000 in royalties from French music-rights organisation, SACEM, for the group’s musical works but did not give any portion of the money to his elder brother, Jude Okoye.
Peter made the disclosure on Monday while testifying virtually before Justice Alexander Owoeye during cross-examination by Clement Onwuewunor, SAN, counsel to Jude.
SACEM is a French professional organisation responsible for collecting and distributing royalties for songwriters, composers and music publishers.
The testimony came during the ongoing trial of Jude Okoye and his company, Northside Music Limited, over allegations of fraud brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Jude and his company are facing a seven-count charge involving alleged fraud of about N1.3 billion and $1 million. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
During the proceedings, Peter was questioned about royalty records relating to P-Square’s musical works and his earlier claim that Jude delayed in providing him with the group’s backend royalty records.
Peter acknowledged that Jude eventually sent him royalty records covering the period between 2016 and 2022, including records connected to Lex Records.
He explained that he had requested the records after some individuals expressed interest in acquiring the P-Square music catalogue.
When confronted with the suggestion that the request for the records was made on October 16, 2022, and that Jude obtained and sent them six days later, Peter maintained that he had made an earlier request.
However, when asked to provide an email, text message or other documentary evidence of the earlier request, Peter said he did not have any and could not recall one.
The cross-examination subsequently shifted to royalties paid by SACEM for P-Square’s musical works.
Peter confirmed that about 10 songs for which SACEM made payments were P-Square songs and acknowledged receiving approximately $800,000 in royalties between 2016 and 2026.
When asked whether he gave Jude any portion of the money, Peter said he did not.
He also confirmed that he did not inform Jude about the payments, explaining that **“the money was for the artistes.”**
Peter maintained that the SACEM royalties belonged to him and his twin brother, Paul Okoye, who formed P-Square.
He disputed Jude’s entitlement to the money, despite acknowledging that Jude had signed the SACEM agreement.
According to Peter, Jude signed the agreement on behalf of “the team” and was not a member of P-Square.
Peter told the court that he and Paul composed, wrote and produced the group’s songs, although he acknowledged that Jude directed some of P-Square’s music videos.
He also admitted that he had previously paid Jude a quarter of his SACEM share but denied that his elder brother was entitled to continued quarterly payments after their reconciliation in 2022.
On Jude’s role as P-Square’s manager, Peter said he had no personal employment contract with him, explaining that the management arrangement was through Northside Entertainment Limited.
The latest testimony forms part of the evidence being presented in the financial dispute involving the Okoye brothers. The court is yet to determine the competing claims surrounding the ownership and distribution of the royalties.
Further hearing in the case has been adjourned to December 8 and 9, 2026