Singer Peter Okoye has told a Lagos Federal High Court that he received more than $800,000 in royalties from French rights organisation SACEM but did not give any portion to his elder brother, Jude Okoye.
Singer Peter Okoye of the defunct music duo P-Square has admitted before the Federal High Court in Lagos that he received more than $800,000 in royalties from French music rights organisation SACEM for songs recorded by the group.
Peter made the disclosure while testifying virtually before Justice Alexander Owoeye during cross-examination by Clement Onwuewunor, SAN, counsel representing his elder brother, Jude Okoye.
The testimony came amid the ongoing criminal trial of Jude Okoye and his company, Northside Music Limited, over allegations brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Jude and his company are facing a seven-count charge involving alleged fraud of about N1.3 billion and $1 million. Jude has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Peter says Jude received none of the SACEM money
During the cross-examination, Peter acknowledged receiving approximately $800,000 from SACEM but maintained that the money belonged to him and his twin brother, Paul Okoye, as the artists behind P-Square.
When asked whether he informed Jude about the payments, Peter said he did not, maintaining that the money was intended for the artists.
Reports of the proceedings quoted Peter as saying: “No, the money was for the artists.”
Peter also confirmed that the royalties related to about 10 P-Square songs.
SACEM, the French music rights organisation involved in the payments, collects and distributes royalties to creators and rights holders, including songwriters, composers and publishers.
Peter disputes Jude's entitlement
A major issue during the cross-examination was whether Jude was entitled to a share of the royalties.
Peter disputed that entitlement and maintained that Jude was not part of P-Square.
When asked whether Jude was a member of the group, Peter reportedly answered: “Jude is not part of P-Square.”
Peter further maintained that he and Paul composed, wrote and produced P-Square's songs.
He nevertheless acknowledged that Jude had been involved in the group's activities and had directed some of P-Square's music videos.
The distinction between Jude's role as manager and the rights attached to the group's music is therefore central to the dispute being examined in court.
Peter says there was no employment contract
Peter was also questioned about Jude's role as the manager of P-Square.
He told the court that he did not have an employment contract with Jude, explaining that the business arrangement was through Northside Entertainment Limited.
The testimony appears to form part of the defence's attempt to establish the nature of Jude's relationship with P-Square and his involvement in the group's financial affairs.
Peter's position, as reported from the proceedings, is that Jude's management role did not automatically give him entitlement to the SACEM royalties paid to the artists.
Whether that position is legally sufficient is a matter for the court to determine.
Peter previously paid Jude part of his SACEM share
During questioning, Peter also acknowledged that he had previously paid Jude a quarter of his SACEM share.
However, he denied that Jude subsequently demanded quarterly payments from the royalties following their reconciliation in 2022.
The exchange forms part of a wider examination of how P-Square's music royalties were received, recorded and distributed during the period under investigation.
Dispute over royalty records
The court also heard testimony concerning P-Square's backend royalty records.
Peter had previously claimed that Jude took more than three months to provide him with the group's royalty records after he requested them in 2022.
During cross-examination, Jude's lawyer challenged that account, telling Peter that the request was made on October 16, 2022, and that Jude obtained and forwarded the records to him six days later, on October 22.
Peter disagreed with the timeline and maintained that he had requested the information earlier in the year.
However, when asked to produce a text message, email or other document showing that he had made an earlier request, Peter acknowledged that he could not.
He reportedly told the court: “No. I don’t have any and I can’t recall.”
The royalty report covered 2016 to 2022
Peter confirmed that he eventually received the royalty report from Jude.
According to reports of the proceedings, the report covered P-Square's royalties from 2016 through 2022, including records connected to Lex Records.
Peter explained that he had requested the information partly because some individuals were interested in acquiring the P-Square music catalogue.
He also acknowledged that Jude had forwarded account information to him in 2022 and that the EFCC was aware that the report had been sent to him.
What the EFCC case involves
The royalty dispute is playing out within a much broader criminal case involving Jude Okoye and Northside Music Limited.
The EFCC has filed a seven-count charge alleging fraud involving approximately N1.3 billion and $1 million.
Jude has pleaded not guilty, meaning the allegations against him have not been established as facts by the court.
The proceedings are therefore still at the trial stage, and testimony from witnesses is being tested through examination and cross-examination.
Peter's admission regarding the SACEM payments does not, by itself, establish the allegations contained in the EFCC's charges or determine whether Jude was legally entitled to any portion of the royalties.
Those issues remain subject to the evidence presented before the court and the eventual determination of the case.
A new dimension to the P-Square dispute
The testimony adds another layer to the long-running financial and personal disputes surrounding P-Square.
Peter and Paul Okoye became one of Nigeria's most commercially successful music duos before their relationship deteriorated and the group eventually split.
Jude Okoye, their elder brother, played a managerial role in the group's career and was involved in aspects of P-Square's business and music-video operations.
The latest court proceedings are now examining the financial arrangements surrounding the group's music, including royalty payments and the responsibilities of the people involved in managing its commercial activities.
The $800,000 SACEM payment has consequently become an important point of discussion during the cross-examination.
Further hearing scheduled for December
The court has adjourned further proceedings in the case to December 8 and 9, 2026.
The case is expected to continue with further examination of evidence surrounding the allegations against Jude and Northside Music Limited.
For now, Peter's testimony establishes that he received more than $800,000 in SACEM royalties and that he did not share those payments with Jude.
Peter's explanation is that the money was intended for himself and Paul as the artists, while Jude's counsel has questioned the circumstances surrounding the payments, the SACEM agreement and Jude's role in P-Square's business.
The court will ultimately determine the legal significance of the evidence presented by both sides.
