The Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday arraigned Jude Chigozie Okoye, the older brother and former manager of music duo Paul and Peter Okoye, on fresh charges of stealing over $1 million and £34,000.
Jude Okoye was brought before Rahman Oshodi, Justice of the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos, alongside his company, Northside Music Ltd. The EFCC, in a statement signed by its Head of Media & Publicity, Dele Oyewale, stated that the fresh four-count charges relate to offences allegedly committed between 2016 and 2023.
According to the charges, Jude Okoye allegedly dishonestly converted funds meant for music digital distribution and publishing royalties. One of the charges claims that he diverted $767,544.15 paid by Lex Records Limited, while another accuses him of misappropriating £34,537.59 from the same company.
He is also alleged to have stolen $133,566.49 from Kobalt Music Services Limited and $118,652.23 from Mtech Limited, funds intended as royalties. The EFCC stated that the alleged crimes violate Sections 278 and 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
When the charges were read in court, Jude Okoye pleaded “not guilty.” Prosecution counsel, M.K. Bashir, subsequently applied for a trial date and requested that the defendant be remanded in a correctional center.
However, Okoye’s defense counsel, Clement Onwenwnor, urged the court to remand his client in EFCC custody, citing a similar case before A.O. Owoeye, Justice of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, where Okoye was granted bail on March 3, 2025.
Bashir opposed the request, arguing that since Jude Okoye had already taken his plea, he should be remanded in a correctional facility.
Oshodi, however, ruled that Okoye be remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre and adjourned the case to March 6, 2025, for the hearing of his bail application, with the trial scheduled for May 16 and 23, 2025.
Join BusinessDay whatsapp Channel, to stay up to date
Open In Whatsapp
