Peter Okoye Testifies on $800,000 P-Square Royalties

Peter Okoye, a member of the defunct music group P-Square, testified virtually before Justice Alexander Owoeye at the Federal High Court in Lagos, admitting to receiving over $800,000 in royalties from the French music rights organization SACEM for songs recorded by the group. This testimony occurred during the cross-examination by Clement Onwuewunor, SAN, representing his brother Jude Okoye, who faces fraud charges from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission involving alleged fraud of N1.3 billion and $1 million.

Peter disputed the timeline regarding his request for P-Square's backend royalty records, claiming he had asked for them earlier in 2022, despite Jude providing them six days after a specific request date of October 16, 2022. He acknowledged receiving the royalty report covering earnings from 2016 to 2022 but contested Jude's entitlement to the SACEM payments, asserting they belonged to him and his twin brother, Paul Okoye.

Peter also confirmed he had previously paid Jude a portion of his SACEM share but denied any ongoing payment demands from Jude.