Singer Peter Okoye testified before a Federal High Court in Lagos that he was paid over $800,000 in royalties for songs recorded by the former band P-Square by the French music rights organisation SACEM.
Peter revealed this during his virtual testimony before Justice Alexander Owoeye. Clement Onwuewunor, SAN, who is defending his brother Jude Okoye, cross-examined him.
Music publishers, composers, and songwriters receive income from SACEM.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed a seven-count indictment against Jude Okoye and his business, Northside Music Limited, for suspected fraud involving N1.3 billion and $1 million. Jude entered a not guilty plea.
During the hearing, Peter was questioned about his earlier statement that Jude delayed for more than three months before giving him P-Square’s royalty records after he requested them in 2022.
His lawyer told him that the request was made on October 16, 2022, and that Jude obtained and sent the records six days later, on October 22.
Peter disagreed, saying he had asked for the records earlier in 2022. But when asked to provide a text message, email or any other evidence showing that he requested before October 16, he admitted that he could not.
“No. I don’t have any and I can’t recall,” he said.
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Peter confirmed that he eventually received the royalty statement from Jude. He said the document covered royalties from 2016 to 2022, including payments linked to Lex Records.
He told the court that he wanted the records because some people were interested in buying the P-Square music catalogue.
Peter also confirmed that Jude sent him the account details in 2022 and that the EFCC knew the documents had been forwarded to him.
However, he rejected Jude’s claim to a share of the SACEM royalties, saying the money belonged to him and his twin brother, Paul.
When asked about the SACEM agreement, which was signed by Jude rather than Peter or Paul, Peter said it was signed by “the team”. He insisted that Jude was not a member of the team.
He also confirmed that the 10 songs that generated the SACEM royalties were P-Square songs.
Peter said he had previously given Jude 25 per cent of his SACEM earnings but denied that Jude later demanded quarterly payments after the royalties were reconciled in 2022.
When asked about claims that he received about $800,000 from SACEM between 2016 and 2026, Peter admitted receiving the money.
He, however, said the funds belonged to the artists and that Jude received nothing from the payments.
Asked if he told Jude about the money, Peter replied: “No, the money was for the artists.”
On Jude’s position as P-Square’s manager, Peter said they did not have an employment agreement with each other. He explained that their business arrangement was through Northside Entertainment Limited.
When asked if Jude was a member of P-Square, Peter said: “Jude is not part of P-Square.”
He further maintained that he and Paul wrote, composed and produced all P-Square songs, although he acknowledged that Jude directed some of the group’s music videos.
The court adjourned the case until December 8 and 9, 2026, for further hearing.
