RismadarVoice Reporters
September 22, 2026
Singer Peter Okoye, one half of the defunct music duo P-Square, has told the Federal High Court in Lagos that he received about $800,000 in royalties from songs recorded by the group.
Okoye made this disclosure while testifying virtually before Justice Alexander Owoeye during cross-examination by Clement Onwuewunor, SAN, counsel to his elder brother and former P-Square manager, Jude Okoye.
The royalties were paid through SACEM, a French organisation responsible for collecting and distributing royalties to songwriters, composers and music publishers.
Jude Okoye and his company, Northside Music Limited, are standing trial on a seven-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission involving alleged ₦1.3 billion and $1 million fraud.
Jude has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
During cross-examination, Peter was questioned about his earlier claim that Jude took more than three months to provide P-Square’s backend royalty records after he requested them in 2022.
The defence maintained that Peter’s documented request was made on October 16, 2022, and that Jude obtained and forwarded the records six days later, on October 22.
Peter disagreed with the account, insisting that he had requested the records earlier in the year. However, when asked to provide a text message, email or other documentary evidence showing an earlier request, he said he could not produce one.
Peter confirmed receiving the royalty report forwarded by Jude and said it covered the period from 2016 to 2022, including records relating to Lex Records.
He told the court that he sought the records because prospective buyers had expressed interest in acquiring the P-Square music catalogue.
The singer also acknowledged that Jude had forwarded the account information to him in 2022 and that the EFCC was aware that the records had been provided.
The cross-examination subsequently focused on royalties received through SACEM and whether Jude was entitled to a share.
Peter maintained that the royalty payments belonged to him and his twin brother, Paul Okoye.
When confronted with the fact that the SACEM agreement was signed by Jude rather than Peter or Paul, Peter said the agreement was signed by the team’s representative but maintained that Jude was not part of P-Square as an artistic group.
Peter confirmed that the 10 songs for which SACEM paid royalties were P-Square songs.
He also acknowledged that he had previously paid Jude a quarter of his share of SACEM royalties but denied that Jude demanded quarterly payments following the reconciliation of the royalty accounts in 2022.
Asked whether he received approximately $800,000 from SACEM between 2016 and 2026, Peter confirmed receiving the money but maintained that the funds belonged to the artists.
He also said he did not inform Jude about the payments.
On Jude’s management role, Peter told the court that he had no personal employment contract with his brother, explaining that their management arrangement operated through Northside Entertainment Limited.
Peter maintained that P-Square consisted of himself and Paul and said the group’s songs were composed, written and produced by the twins.
He, however, acknowledged that Jude directed some of P-Square’s music videos.
Justice Owoeye adjourned further hearing in the case to December 8 and 9, 2026.
