By Felicia Udeji
Jude Okoye, the elder brother and former manager of the defunct music group P-Square, has been arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on charges of alleged fraud. The EFCC accuses Okoye and his company, Northside Music Ltd, of laundering approximately ₦1.38 billion, $1 million, and £34,537.59. He pleaded “not guilty” to the charges.
Following his plea, the prosecution requested a hearing date and Okoye’s remand in a correctional facility pending trial. His defense counsel, Inibehe Effiong, filed a bail application and requested that Okoye be remanded in EFCC custody until the hearing. The prosecution objected to this, citing congestion in EFCC custody, and proposed remanding Okoye in a correctional facility.
Justice Alexander Owoeye adjourned the case to February 28, 2025, for the bail hearing and set the trial for April 14, 2025. He ordered Okoye to be remanded in the Ikoyi correctional facility.
This development has attracted significant attention, given Okoye’s prominence in the Nigerian music industry and his close association with the Okoye brothers.