The Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, adjourned further hearing in the N1.38 billion money laundering trial involving Jude Chigozie Okoye, elder brother and former manager of Nigerian music duo, Paul and Peter Okoye, to October 23 and November 10, 2025.
Okoye, alongside his company, Northside Music Limited, is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a seven-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering.
One of the charges alleges that in 2022, Okoye and his company acquired a luxury property worth ₦850 million at Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos, allegedly with funds suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity.
The EFCC maintained that this violates provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
But Okoye pleaded not guilty to the charges upon his arraignment on February 26, 2025.
At the resumed hearing on Wednesday, the first prosecution witness, Peter Obumuneme Okoye, one half of the musical duo known as P-Square, told the court under cross-examination that he never signed any cheques or had access to Northside Entertainment’s bank accounts. In contrast, he was signed to the label.
He admitted to receiving funds from the company’s Ecobank account but stated they were not royalties, as the account also received substantial earnings from shows and endorsements.
Peter said he only became aware of Northside Music Limited, Okoye’s company, in late 2022 and confirmed he never received any funds from Lex Records throughout his time with the label.
Following the testimony, Justice A. Owoeye adjourned the matter for the continuation of the trial.
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