The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has distanced itself from Peter Okoye’s allegation that his brothers, Jude and Paul, withdrew and shared more than $800,000 belonging to the family’s music enterprise.
At the continuation of the trial at the Ikeja High Court on Friday, EFCC counsel M.K. Bashir told the court the commission had no record to support the claim.
“We do not have it. It is his evidence. Let him prove it. I can’t give what I don’t have,” Bashir said while responding to defence counsel Clement Onwuenwunor, who pressed the EFCC to produce evidence of the alleged withdrawal.
Peter had previously testified that he discovered new information showing that “more than $800,000 was withdrawn and distributed” between March 2023 and October 2024. But during cross-examination, he shifted the alleged withdrawal period to between 2013 and 2014.
The defence also requested documentation for Peter’s claim that Jude operated 47 bank accounts. Bashir again denied having such evidence, stating:
“I do not have 47 bank accounts. It is one of the witness’s claims, but I do not have such a copy.”
Justice Rahman Oshodi rejected the defence’s oral application for an order compelling Peter to produce the accounts, noting that the documents “are neither before the court nor part of the admitted evidence” and should be sought through a formal application.
Peter further told the court he only discovered the existence of another company, Northside Music Ltd, in 2024 after singer Cynthia Morgan sent him a contract on Northside Entertainment letterhead. He said albums were credited to Northside Inc even though the contract referenced Northside Music.
The case began after Peter petitioned the EFCC in January 2024, accusing Jude of diverting royalties, operating undeclared accounts and using company proceeds to purchase an N850m property in Ikoyi. EFCC later arraigned Jude and Northside Music Ltd on charges relating to alleged mismanagement of over $1 million, £34,537.59 and suspected money laundering through a bureau de change.
Earlier in the year, defence lawyers tendered CAC documents showing Jude owned 80 per cent of Northside Music while his wife held 20 per cent — contradicting Peter’s claim. They also presented bank mandates listing Peter and Paul as Category B signatories, challenging his assertion that he was excluded from account access.
The trial continues on December 12.
