Peter Okoye Admits Receiving Over $800,000 in P-Square Royalties During Court Cross-Examination

Singer Peter Okoye, one half of the defunct Nigerian music duo P-Square, has admitted receiving more than $800,000 in royalties from the group’s musical works during a virtual cross-examination at the Federal High Court in Lagos.

Peter made the admission on Monday, September 21, 2026, while being cross-examined by Clement Onwuewunor, SAN, counsel to his elder brother and former P-Square manager, Jude Okoye.

The proceedings were before Justice Alexander Owoeye in an ongoing case involving Jude Okoye and his company, Northside Music Limited. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Jude and the company over alleged N1.3 billion and $1 million fraud. Jude has pleaded not guilty to the seven-count charge.

Peter Admits Receiving Over $800,000

During the cross-examination, Peter was questioned about royalties paid by the French music rights organisation Société des Auteurs, Compositeurs et Éditeurs de Musique (SACEM) in connection with P-Square’s musical works.

When confronted with the claim that he received approximately $800,000 from SACEM between 2016 and 2026, Peter admitted receiving the money.

However, he said he did not give any portion of the money to Jude because, according to his testimony, the money was meant for the artists.

When asked whether he informed Jude about the payments, Peter reportedly answered in the negative, maintaining that the royalties were for the artists.

Peter Disputes Jude’s Entitlement

Peter maintained that the SACEM royalties belonged to him and his twin brother, Paul Okoye, rather than Jude.

During the proceedings, he acknowledged that Jude had signed the SACEM contract but maintained that the agreement was signed on behalf of “the team” and insisted that Jude was not a member of P-Square.

Peter also confirmed that the 10 songs for which SACEM paid royalties were P-Square songs.

The singer further acknowledged that he had previously paid Jude a quarter of his SACEM share but disputed the suggestion that Jude was entitled to continue receiving quarterly payments after their reconciliation in 2022.

Peter and Jude’s Royalty Records Dispute

Another major issue during the cross-examination was the timing of Peter’s request for P-Square’s backend royalty records.

Jude’s counsel told the court that Peter requested the records on October 16, 2022, and that Jude obtained and sent them to him six days later, on October 22.

Peter maintained that he had made the request earlier in 2022. However, when asked to produce a text message, email or other document proving that he had requested the records before October 16, he admitted that he had no such evidence and could not recall.

Peter nevertheless confirmed that he received the royalty report from Jude. The report covered royalty records from 2016 to 2022 and included information relating to Lex Records.

According to Peter, the records were requested partly because some individuals were interested in purchasing the P-Square music catalogue.

Peter Says Jude Was Not Part of P-Square

During the proceedings, Peter was also questioned about Jude’s role in P-Square.

Peter maintained that Jude was not a member of P-Square and said that he and Paul composed, wrote and produced the group’s songs.

He nevertheless acknowledged Jude’s contribution to the group, including his involvement in directing some of P-Square’s music videos.

Peter also stated that he did not have an employment contract with Jude, explaining that their managerial arrangement was through Northside Entertainment Limited.

What the Court Case Is About

The testimony forms part of the ongoing legal proceedings involving Jude Okoye and Northside Music Limited.

The EFCC’s case against Jude and the company involves allegations of N1.3 billion and $1 million fraud. Jude has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Peter’s testimony and the questions surrounding P-Square’s royalties, financial records and management arrangements are being examined as part of the proceedings.

Importantly, Peter’s admission that he received the royalties is a statement made during his testimony. It does not by itself amount to a final court determination that he was legally entitled to all of the money. The broader dispute over royalty entitlement remains part of the ongoing proceedings.

Case Adjourned

Following the day’s proceedings, further hearing in the matter was adjourned to December 8 and 9, 2026.

The case therefore remains ongoing, with the court yet to make a final determination on the issues being contested by the parties.

Trending Now

Peter Okoye’s latest testimony has drawn renewed attention to the long-running financial and management disputes surrounding the former P-Square group, particularly the handling of royalties generated from the duo’s extensive music catalogue.