On Wednesday, February 26, 2025, the Federal High Court in Lagos ordered the remand of Jude Okoye Chigozie, the former manager of P-Square and elder brother to Paul and Peter Okoye, over allegations of money laundering amounting to ₦1.38 billion, $1 million, and £34,537.59. The case, brought forward by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has sparked widespread attention due to Okoye’s deep ties to Nigeria’s music industry.
The EFCC has charged Okoye and his company, Northside Music Ltd, with seven counts of money laundering, alleging that he knowingly handled funds linked to illegal activities. According to the prosecution, Okoye purchased a property worth ₦850 million at Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos, using proceeds suspected to be illicit. Additionally, he is accused of using a bureau de change to convert $1,019,762.87 from a Northside Music Ltd account with Access Bank Plc into naira before distributing the funds across multiple accounts to conceal their origins.
Appearing before Justice Alexander Owoeye, Okoye pleaded not guilty to all charges. In response, EFCC prosecutor L. P. Aso requested a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendant in a correctional facility while awaiting proceedings. However, Okoye’s lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, argued for his client to remain in EFCC custody until the court rules on a pending bail application.
The EFCC opposed this request, citing overcrowding in its detention centers and pushing for immediate remand at the Ikoyi Correctional Facility. Justice Owoeye sided with the prosecution, ordering Okoye’s transfer to the correctional center pending his bail hearing, scheduled for February 28, 2025. The trial is set to commence on April 14, 2025.
Okoye’s arraignment marks a major legal development surrounding a figure once instrumental in shaping the success of P-Square, one of Nigeria’s most celebrated music groups before their split. As the case progresses, it could reveal new details about financial dealings within the country’s entertainment industry.
