Peter Okoye admits receiving $800k in Psquare royalties from French firm but gave Jude nothing
Breaking news: Peter Okoye admits receiving $800k in Psquare royalties from French firm but gave Jude nothing
Peter Okoye, a member of the defunct music duo Psquare, told a Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday 22st September 2026, that he received more than $800,000 from the French music rights organisation SACEM as royalties for their musical works but did not give any share to his elder brother, Jude Okoye.
Peter gave the testimony while being cross-examined by Clement Onwuewunor (SAN), counsel to Jude.
SACEM is a French professional association that collects music royalties and distributes them to songwriters, composers and publishers.
Jude and his company, Northside Music Limited, are standing trial over allegations of N1.3 billion and $1 million fraud brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Jude has pleaded not guilty to the seven-count charge filed against him and his company.
During the resumed hearing, Peter was questioned about his earlier claim that Jude took more than three months to provide him with Psquare’s backend royalty records after he requested them in 2022.
Jude’s counsel 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, insisting that he had made the request earlier in 2022.
When asked to produce a text message, email or document proving that he made the request before October 16, 2022, Peter admitted that he had none and could not recall.
Peter confirmed that he received the royalty report sent by Jude and acknowledged that it covered royalties from 2016 to 2022, including records relating to Lex Records.
He explained that the report was requested because some parties were interested in buying the Psquare music catalogue.
Peter also admitted that Jude forwarded the account information to him in 2022 and that the EFCC was aware the report had been sent to him.
However, he disputed Jude’s entitlement to royalties paid through SACEM, maintaining that the payments belonged to him and his twin brother, Paul Okoye.
When told that the SACEM contract was signed by Jude and not by Peter or Paul, Peter maintained that it was signed by “the team”, while insisting that Jude was not part of the team. He also acknowledged that the 10 songs for which SACEM paid royalties were Psquare songs.
Peter confirmed that he had previously paid a quarter of his SACEM share to Jude but denied that Jude demanded quarterly payments after their reconciliation in 2022.
When confronted with the claim that he received approximately $800,000 from SACEM between 2016 and 2026, Peter admitted receiving the money but said nothing was given to Jude because the money was meant for him and Paul.
Asked whether he informed Jude about the payments, Peter replied that he did not, saying the money was for the artistes.
When asked what he paid Jude as manager of Psquare, Peter said he had no employment contract with him, explaining that the arrangement was through Northside Entertainment Limited.
Asked whether Jude was part of Psquare, Peter replied: “Jude is not part of Psquare.”
Peter also maintained that all Psquare songs were composed, written and produced by him and Paul, although he acknowledged that Jude directed most of their music videos, without being paid.
Further hearing in the matter has been adjourned to December 8 and 9, 2026.
Psquare rose to prominence in the early 2000s and became one of Africa’s biggest music groups before splitting in 2017 following disagreements over Jude’s role as their manager.
The brothers reunited in 2021 but split again in 2024 amid renewed disagreements.
