Peter Okoye tells court he received $800,000 in Psquare royalties

Peter Okoye, a member of the defunct music duo Psquare, has told a Federal High Court in Lagos that he received more than $800,000 in royalties from French music rights organisation SACEM but did not give any portion to his elder brother, Jude Okoye.

Peter made the disclosure on Monday while testifying virtually before Justice Alexander Owoeye and being cross-examined by Clement Onwuewunor (SAN), counsel to Jude. Jude and his company, Northside Music Limited, are standing trial over alleged N1.3 billion and $1 million fraud charges filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Jude has pleaded not guilty to the seven-count charge.

During the resumed hearing, Peter was questioned about his earlier claim that Jude took more than three months to provide Psquare’s backend royalty records after he requested them in 2022. Counsel told the court that the request was made on October 16, 2022, and that Jude obtained and sent the records six days later, on October 22.

When asked to provide a text message, email or other document showing that he had made the request before October 16, Peter admitted that he could not do so. He confirmed that the royalty report sent by Jude covered payments from 2016 to 2022, including records relating to Lex Records, and said it was requested because some parties were interested in acquiring the Psquare music catalogue.

Peter disputed Jude’s entitlement to royalties paid through SACEM, insisting that the payments belonged to him and his twin brother, Paul Okoye. He acknowledged that Jude had signed the SACEM contract but maintained that it was signed on behalf of “the team” and that Jude was not part of the group.

Peter admitted that he had previously paid Jude a quarter of his SACEM share but denied that Jude demanded quarterly payments after their reconciliation in 2022. Asked about the approximately $800,000 he allegedly received from SACEM between 2016 and 2026, Peter confirmed receiving the money but said none was given to Jude because it belonged to him and Paul.

Asked whether he informed Jude about the payments, Peter replied, “No, the money was for the artistes”. He also said he had no employment contract with Jude as manager, explaining that their arrangement was through Northside Entertainment Limited.

Asked whether Jude was a member of Psquare, Peter replied, “Jude is not part of Psquare”. He maintained that he and Paul composed, wrote and produced the group’s songs, although he acknowledged that Jude directed some of their music videos. The court adjourned further hearing in the case until December 8 and 9, 2026.