Peter Okoye Discloses Over $800,000 in P-Square Royalties

Nigerian singer Peter Okoye has told a Federal High Court in Lagos that he received more than $800,000 in royalties from France-based music rights organisation SACEM for songs recorded by the former music group P-Square.

Peter disclosed while testifying virtually before Justice Alexander Owoeye. He was cross-examined by Clement Onwuewunor, SAN, who is representing his brother, Jude Okoye.

SACEM is responsible for collecting and distributing royalties to songwriters, composers and music publishers.

Jude Okoye and his company, Northside Music Limited, are facing a seven-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged fraud involving ₦1.3 billion and $1 million. Jude has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

During the proceedings, Peter was questioned about his earlier claim that Jude delayed for more than three months before providing him with P-Square’s royalty records after he requested the documents in 2022.

His lawyer 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.

Peter disagreed with the suggestion that he had only requested the documents in October 2022, maintaining that he had asked for them earlier in the year.

However, when asked to provide a text message, email or any other evidence showing that he requested before October 16, 2022, he admitted that he could not.

“No. I don’t have any, and I can’t recall,” he said.

Peter confirmed that he eventually received the royalty statement from Jude. According to him, the document covered royalties earned between 2016 and 2022, including payments linked to Lex Records.

He told the court that he wanted the records because some people had expressed interest in purchasing P-Square’s music catalogue.

Peter also confirmed that Jude sent him the account details in 2022 and that the EFCC knew the documents had been forwarded to him.

The singer rejected Jude’s claim to a share of the SACEM royalties, insisting that the money belonged to him and his twin brother, Paul Okoye.

When asked about the SACEM agreement, which was signed by Jude rather than Peter or Paul, he said it was signed by “the team.”

Peter maintained that Jude was not a member of the team.

He also confirmed that the 10 songs that generated the SACEM royalties were P-Square songs.

Peter told the court that he had previously given Jude 25 per cent of his SACEM earnings. However, he denied that Jude later demanded quarterly payments, according to the portion of the report visible in the supplied material.

When questioned about claims that he received approximately $800,000 from SACEM between 2016 and 2026, Peter admitted that he received the money.

He, however, maintained that the funds belonged to the artists and that Jude did not receive any portion of the payments.

Asked whether he had told Jude about the money, Peter responded: “No, the money was for the artists.”

On Jude’s position as P-Square’s manager, Peter told the court that they did not have an employment agreement with each other.

He explained that their business arrangement was conducted through Northside Entertainment Limited.

When asked whether Jude was a member of P-Square, Peter stated: “Jude is not part of P-Square.”

He further maintained that he and Paul wrote, composed and produced all the group’s songs, although he acknowledged that Jude directed some of P-Square’s music videos.

The court subsequently adjourned the case until December 8 and 9, 2026, for further hearing.

Source: dailypost.ng