The long-running legal battle between Nigerian music star Peter Okoye and his elder brother and former manager, Jude Okoye, has taken a dramatic new turn following a key revelation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The anti-graft agency told the court that it does not possess any evidence to back the allegations of fraud leveled against Jude.
Peter Okoye—one half of the formerly celebrated duo P-Square—had accused Jude, who served as their long-time manager before the group’s split, of diverting funds belonging to the group into accounts personally connected to him. Jude spent more than two months in EFCC custody before being released on bail, as the controversy continued to unfold in court.
However, during a hearing at the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja on Friday, November 28, 2025, EFCC counsel Mohammed Bashir made a revealing disclosure. He informed the court that the commission had no records or documents indicating that Jude misappropriated the alleged $800,000 belonging to P-Square.
Bashir stressed that since the EFCC could not produce evidence it did not have, the burden of proof now lies with Peter Okoye, who must substantiate the allegations he brought forward.
The origins of the case trace back to 2024, when Jude Okoye and his company, Northside Music Limited, were accused of allegedly converting $1 million and £34,000 in royalties earned from digital music distribution and publishing associated with P-Square.
According to earlier EFCC filings, a payment of $767,544.15 made by Lex Records Limited for digital distribution was allegedly diverted, with the intention of depriving Peter of his rightful share. Jude was granted bail in March 2025, with conditions set at N50 million.
Beyond the courtroom, the legal battle has deeply strained relationships within the Okoye family. Paul Okoye, the other half of P-Square and Peter’s twin brother, has reportedly thrown his support behind Jude. This divide became publicly visible when Paul unfollowed Peter on social media, signaling a widening rift between the brothers, who have also ceased making music together. The tension extended to their spouses, as Peter’s wife, Lola, was spotted spending time with Paul’s estranged wife, Anita—attending social outings and sharing photos that hinted at shifting alliances within the family.
Despite these growing internal conflicts, Peter Okoye has remained resolute, continuing to appear before the court to testify against Jude. His repeated testimonies underscore just how deeply fractured the once tightly knit music family has become, with no immediate sign of reconciliation in sight.