The fraud trial involving Nigerian music star Peter Okoye (of P-Square) and his elder brother Jude Okoye took a contentious turn on Friday as defence counsel Clement Onwuenwunor, SAN, accused Peter of deliberately misleading the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) with false claims. During cross-examination at the Lagos High Court in Ikeja, Onwuenwunor dismantled Peter’s testimony, exposing contradictions in his statements about his educational background, financial dealings, and royalty payments.
Peter had previously told the EFCC he was a “graduate” of the University of Abuja, but under scrutiny, he admitted he dropped out—a discrepancy proven via EFCC records. The defence also presented bank documents showing Peter had signatory access to Northside Entertainment Limited accounts, contrary to his claim that Jude was the sole signatory. Bank statements revealed Peter withdrew large sums and received direct transfers from Jude, undermining his assertion that he never benefited financially from the company.
Further contradictions emerged over royalty payments from Mad Solutions, which manages P-Square’s music catalogue. Peter claimed he received $25,000 and $20,000, but the defence produced contracts signed by all three brothers (Jude, Peter, and Paul) showing Peter’s actual payments were $4,330.47 and $5,837.35. Onwuenwunor argued these inconsistencies proved a “calculated effort to mislead the court and EFCC.”
Justice Rahman Oshodi admitted key documents into evidence and directed the defence to share all materials with the prosecution ahead of the trial’s continuation on October 10 and 17, 2025. The case has drawn widespread attention, pitting the once-celebrated P-Square brothers against each other in a legal battle over alleged financial misconduct.
