P-square Royalties: Ex-manager Jude Okoye insists on innocence

Former P-Square manager Jude Okoye has responded to fresh allegations made by his younger brother, Peter “Mr P” Okoye, insisting he never diverted the group’s earnings and challenging authorities to jail him if he is found guilty.

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Jude’s response comes days after Mr P released a four-part video series on social media detailing the long-running financial dispute within the defunct P-Square group.

In the videos, Mr P accused his elder brother of withholding financial records, delaying access to the group’s backend catalogue and mismanaging royalty payments, reigniting public interest in the family’s prolonged feud.

P-Square, comprising twin brothers Peter and Paul Okoye, dominated the African music scene for over a decade before splitting in 2017. Although they reunited in 2021, the group disbanded again in 2024 following renewed disagreements over finances and management.

The dispute later escalated into an investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which charged Jude with alleged money laundering. He has pleaded not guilty, and the case is pending before the Federal High Court in Lagos.

Responding in a video shared on his social media pages on Sunday night, Jude described Mr P’s allegations as “blatant lies” and “manipulative tactics,” maintaining that the royalty payments, backend records and account signatories had already been examined during the EFCC investigation and remain issues before the court.

Royalty payments

Jude rejected Mr P’s allegation that he diverted royalty payments belonging to the group, arguing that the disputed funds were distributed in accordance with instructions communicated by Mr P himself.

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According to him, an email dated 1 June 2016 from Arrow Kings and IROKO outlined how outstanding digital royalty earnings were to be shared, with Mr P receiving his portion directly, while the balance meant for Jude and Paul was paid into the Nosa Entertainment account.

He said the email clearly stated that Peter was to receive $12,891, while $25,782 was designated for Jude and Paul.

Jude argued that Peter later publicly presented only part of the transaction, creating the impression that he and Paul had shared money belonging to all three members of the group.

‘I was a signatory’

Jude also refuted Peter’s claim that he was not a signatory to P-Square’s bank accounts.

Displaying what he described as FCMB account mandate documents, Jude maintained that Peter, Paul and himself were authorised signatories to the group’s accounts.

He further claimed the issue had already been raised during court proceedings, where, according to him, Peter later acknowledged that he was a signatory after being confronted with documentary evidence.

Backend records controversy

Jude also denied Peter’s allegation that he delayed releasing P-Square’s backend catalogue and streaming records when potential investors expressed interest in acquiring the group’s catalogue.

He said Peter requested the catalogue and royalty statements on 16 October 2022 and that he immediately contacted Lex Records for the documents.

According to Jude, the accounting records were forwarded the same day, while the requested backend logs were received six days later and sent to Peter immediately.

He argued that Peter’s claim that it took three-and-a-half months to release the records was false and intended to portray him as someone attempting to conceal information.

Payments and EFCC investigation

Jude further claimed that the disputed royalty payments and supporting emails had already been presented during the EFCC investigation.

According to him, Peter and his legal team were shown the documents during the investigation and did not object at the time.

He accused Peter of returning to social media to relitigate issues that remain before the court.

“So what is he doing, coming out again now, if not to spill emotional blackmail, manipulate, and make me look like a bad person by dragging Paul into this?” he said.

‘Stop trying to manipulate Paul’

Jude also accused Peter of attempting to draw Paul Okoye into the dispute to create fresh controversy around P-Square.

He claimed Peter’s recent videos were intended to provoke Paul to respond publicly and shift attention away from the ongoing court proceedings.

According to Jude, disagreements over comments Paul made during media interviews while promoting his new music should have remained between the brothers rather than becoming another P-Square dispute.

‘If I’m guilty, send me to jail’

Jude said he remains the defendant in the ongoing criminal case and intends to allow the court to determine the issues Peter raised.

He alleged that Peter had failed to appear at recent court sittings, resulting in the matter being adjourned until September. Also, he claimed that his bank accounts, passport, and travel documents have remained restricted since the case commenced.

“If I’m found guilty, if they prove I took even one kobo that wasn’t mine, let them send me to jail. I’m ready for that,” he said.

As of the time of filing this report, Peter had not publicly responded to Jude’s latest claims. The criminal proceedings between the parties remain before the Federal High Court in Lagos.

Watch Mr P’s series continuation, part three here and part four here.

Watch Jude’s defence video here.