A Lagos court handling special offenses has approved bail for Jude Okoye, the former manager of the now-defunct music group P-Square, in a case involving the alleged misuse of $1,019,763.87 and £34,537.59.
The charges, filed on January 27, 2025, accuse Okoye and his company, Northside Music Limited, of diverting funds intended for digital distribution and publishing royalties. The amounts include:
- $767,544.15 from Lex Records Limited,
- £34,537.59 from Lex Records Limited,
- $133,566.49 from Kobalt Music Services Limited, and
- $118,652.23 from Mech Limited.
Justice Rahman Oshodi, overseeing the case, set Okoye’s bail at ₦50 million, requiring two sureties who must each provide the same amount. The sureties must live within the court’s jurisdiction and show evidence of tax payments for the last three years.
As additional bail terms, Okoye was instructed to hand over his Nigerian and St. Kitts and Nevis passports. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was also directed to notify immigration authorities to ensure Okoye does not leave the country.
During the proceedings, Okoye’s legal representative, Clement Onwuenwnor (SAN), argued that the case stemmed from a civil disagreement between business partners. He requested that Okoye be released to his younger brother’s custody. However, EFCC prosecutor Mohammed Bashir opposed this, highlighting Okoye’s dual citizenship as a potential flight risk.
After reviewing the submitted affidavits, the judge ruled in Okoye’s favor, granting him bail.
The trial has been postponed to May 16 and 23, 2025, for continuation.
