The $1 million fraud trial involving Jude Okoye, former manager of the defunct music group P-Square, took a dramatic turn on Friday as the defence accused Peter Okoye, popularly known as Mr P, of lying to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Jude Okoye and his company, Northside Music Limited, are standing trial before the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja over allegations of stealing and converting royalties amounting to $1,019,763.87 and £34,537.59.
During cross-examination, defence counsel Clement Onwuenwunor (SAN) told Justice Rahman Oshodi that Mr P’s testimony was riddled with inconsistencies and “outright fabrications.”
“Peter’s testimony before the EFCC is riddled with lies and misrepresentations.
This is not just a matter of forgetfulness. This is an intentional effort to mislead investigators and this honourable court,” Onwuenwunor said.
One of the points of contention was Mr P’s claim of being a graduate of the University of Abuja — a claim he later walked back in court, admitting under pressure that he dropped out.
Further contradictions emerged over access to Northside Entertainment Limited’s finances. Peter had earlier claimed Jude was the sole signatory to the company’s account.
But the defence presented a bank mandate showing Peter and his twin brother Paul were Category B signatories, with Jude as Category A.
Peter responded, “My lord, an account he is the only one that operates… I have never held a cheque.”
However, the defence submitted bank statements showing Peter had made large cash withdrawals and received direct transfers, contradicting his denial.
“I did not lie, I don’t go to the bank… He gives the cheque to the assistant manager to cash the money and the manager pays it into my account,” Peter said.
Discrepancies also surfaced over royalties from Mad Solutions. Peter testified he only received $25,000 and $20,000, alleging Jude siphoned the rest. But the defence produced documents showing he actually received $4,330.47 and $5,837.35, far lower than what he claimed under oath.
Peter also alleged that Jude had signed other artistes like Cynthia Morgan using P-Square’s letterhead, arguing: “The manager only gets paid for managing, not from ownership.”
He added, “I discovered that the defendant and my twin brother took almost $800,000 from the account, so I took the account to EFCC.”
Justice Oshodi admitted several EFCC documents and bank statements into evidence and adjourned proceedings to October 10 and 17, 2025.
“If you intend to use a document, make it available to them to make the trial faster,” the judge advised the defence.
