Singer Peter Okoye, one half of defunct group P-Square, has responded to claims that he lied to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against his brother, Jude Okoye.
In a fiery Instagram Story shared in the late hours of Wednesday, following a court session over the alleged N1.38 billion fraud involving Peter and his elder brother and former manager, Jude Okoye, the music star made it clear he’s done keeping quiet.
Earlier this week, Jude’s lawyer told the Federal High Court in Lagos that Peter’s statement to the EFCC was “full of lies,” especially regarding his claims about not accessing Northside Music Ltd’s bank accounts and his academic credentials.
The lawyer also challenged Peter’s comments about not receiving royalties and being sidelined in company decisions.
In response, Peter wrote, “Exactly what I was talking about: their publicist doing everything for me to look like a liar. I am not MayD or Cynthia Morgan; I am PETER OKOYE, the one and only THE ROCK/OKWUTE of the Okoyes. The truth shall surely prevail,” he wrote.
He didn’t stop there.
In a follow-up post, Peter referenced the late Mohbad’s tragic situation, suggesting it influenced his decision to stop “being the mature one” in the face of injustice.
“After watching everything about Mohbad’s death and how the whole thing played out to date, I decided to myself that I would never play the bigger person nor act as the mature one… Never again. So love me or hate me, I will continue speaking my truth!” he added.
At the resumed sitting on Wednesday, Peter Okoye, also known as Mr. P and the first prosecution witness (PW1), told the court under cross-examination by defence counsel Clement Onwuenwunor that he “never signed any cheque and had no access to the accounts while still signed to Northside Entertainment.”
Peter admitted receiving some money from the company’s Ecobank account but clarified that “they were not royalties because the account also received millions of dollars from endorsements and shows.”
He also said, “I never knew about the existence of Northside Music Limited, my brother’s company, until late 2022,” adding that he did not receive any proceeds from Lex Records during his time at the company.
However, the defence presented documents from the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) showing that Jude Okoye holds 80 percent ownership of Northside Music Limited.
Peter had earlier testified that Jude’s wife, Ifeoma, owned 80 percent of the company. Upon being shown the CAC record, he admitted, “I was wrong in my earlier testimony.”
Onwuenwunor also presented a bank mandate document showing Jude was a category A signatory to the company’s accounts, while Peter and his twin brother Paul were category B signatories — contradicting Peter’s claim that he had no access to the account.
The defence further tendered bank statements indicating royalty payments from Lex Records through Mad Solutions Limited into Northside Entertainment’s Ecobank account between 2012 and 2017.
Justice Owoeye cautioned Peter over his hostile demeanor during cross-examination, warning him to remain respectful while giving evidence.
The case, which stems from a petition filed by Peter in December 2023 alleging that Jude and Ifeoma diverted millions of dollars in royalties from P-Square’s earnings into a private account, was adjourned to October 23 and November 10, for continuation of trial.
Jude Okoye was arraigned by the EFCC on February 26, alongside his company, Northside Music Ltd, on a seven-count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of N1.38 billion, $1 million, and £34,537.59.
