Peter Okoye's Testimony Under Fire in Heated Court Session Over Fraud Allegations Against Jude Okoye

 

The courtroom at the Lagos High Court, Ikeja, was gripped by tension on Friday as defence counsel Clement Onwuenwunor, SAN, launched a scathing attack on the credibility of Nigerian pop star Peter Okoye. In what has become a gripping legal battle involving family, fame, and financial controversy, Peter is accusing his elder brother and former manager, Jude Okoye, of financial impropriety.

During the intense cross-examination, Onwuenwunor did not mince words as he accused Peter of making “deliberate and misleading” statements to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), statements which now form the bedrock of the fraud allegations against Jude and his company, Northside Music Ltd. The defendants are facing a four-count charge centered on the alleged dishonest conversion of funds amounting to $767,544.15.

Despite Peter's earlier testimony on May 16 where he portrayed himself as a victim of betrayal and fraud, the defence methodically deconstructed his narrative. Onwuenwunor wasted no time in pointing out contradictions in Peter’s sworn statements, exposing gaps that raised serious questions about his credibility.

A key point of contention arose from Peter’s claim that he is a graduate of the University of Abuja. This assertion, included in his EFCC testimony, was thoroughly discredited by the defence who presented records showing that Peter had not completed his degree. When confronted, Peter retreated from his claim, telling the court he had merely “attended” the university. However, the EFCC documentation clearly had him listed as a graduate, a discrepancy Peter was forced to acknowledge publicly.

Further pressure mounted as the defence produced documents contradicting Peter’s statement that he had no access to Northside Entertainment Limited’s financial dealings. Contrary to his claim that Jude acted alone as the sole signatory, the bank mandate presented in court indicated that while Jude held Category A signatory rights, both Peter and his twin brother Paul were Category B signatories. Bank statements provided additional ammunition, showing Peter had withdrawn significant amounts in both naira and U.S. dollars from the company’s account. Records of multiple direct transfers from Jude to Peter further eroded the foundation of Peter’s earlier statements.

A particularly revealing moment occurred when the discussion turned to royalties from the P-Square music catalogue, managed by Mad Solutions. Peter had testified that he was unaware of any contract with the company and that he received only two small payments of $25,000 and $20,000. However, the defence produced evidence showing that all three brothers had signed the agreement with Mad Solutions and were equally entitled to royalty payments. According to submitted records, Peter actually received significantly lower amounts—$4,330.47 and $5,837.35—than he claimed under oath.

“This isn’t just a question of memory lapses,” Onwuenwunor argued passionately. “Peter Okoye has systematically made false claims before the EFCC and now before this court. It’s a deliberate attempt to mislead the authorities and malign my client’s reputation.”

Justice Rahman Oshodi presided over the proceedings, maintaining order amid the increasingly adversarial exchanges. He admitted several bank documents and EFCC statements into evidence but issued a cautionary note to the defence, urging them to furnish all relevant materials to the prosecution in advance of subsequent hearings.

“If you intend to use a document, make it available to them to make the trial faster,” Justice Oshodi advised.

The trial, which has attracted widespread attention due to the high-profile figures involved, was adjourned to continue on October 10 and 17, 2025. As the legal battle between the Okoye brothers rages on, the public remains riveted by a case that combines celebrity drama with complex legal wrangling.