Nigerian singer Peter Okoye has admitted receiving about $800,000 in royalties from French music rights organisation SACEM for P-Square’s musical works, but maintained that his elder brother, Jude Okoye, was not entitled to any share of the money.
The Guardian reported that Peter made the disclosure while testifying virtually before Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday.
He was being cross-examined by Jude’s lawyer, Clement Onwuewunor, SAN, in a case involving Jude and his company, Northside Music Limited.
Jude is facing a seven-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged ₦1.3 billion and $1 million fraud. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
During the proceedings, 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.
Peter had alleged that he made a request on October 16, but when he was told that the records were actually supplied six days later, he insisted that he had made an earlier request.
However, when asked to provide evidence of the alleged earlier request, Peter admitted that he had none and could not remember when the request was made.
Peter confirmed receiving a royalty report covering payments made between 2016 and 2022. He explained that the report was requested because some individuals were interested in purchasing P-Square’s music catalogue.
He also acknowledged receiving about $800,000 from SACEM but maintained that Jude was not entitled to the money, arguing that it belonged to him and his twin brother, Paul Okoye.
Asked whether he informed Jude about the payments, Peter said, “No, the money was for the artistes.”
He further denied that Jude was a member of P-Square, stating, “Jude is not part of P-Square.”
Peter acknowledged that Jude directed some of P-Square’s music videos but maintained that he and Paul composed, wrote and produced the group’s songs.
The court adjourned the matter to December 8 and 9, 2026, for further hearing.
