Again, Court Remands Jude Okoye In Prison Over Alleged Theft Of $1m, £34,000

There seems to be no reprieve yet for Jude Okoye, the former manager of the defunct popular hip-hop group P-Square, as Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Lagos State Special Offences Court on Tuesday remanded him in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS).

Jude, the older brother of music artists Peter Okoye and Paul Okoye, was earlier on Monday granted bail by Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court in Lagos over a different fraud case. He was again arraigned before Justice Rahman by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a fresh seven-count charge of theft.

The defendant, who is yet to perfect his bail in the initial case, was docked before the State High Court alongside his company, Northside Music Ltd., over allegations of theft amounting to $1,019,763.87 and £34,537.59.

The EFCC accused the defendant of dishonestly converting the sum of $767,544.15 to his own use. This amount was paid by Lex Records Ltd. for music digital distribution/publishing royalties, with the intent of permanently depriving his younger brother, Peter Okoye, of his special interest in the property.

The anti-graft agency also alleged that between 2016 and 2023, the defendant dishonestly converted £34,537.59, also paid by Lex Records Ltd. for the same purpose, and similarly intended to permanently deprive Peter Okoye of his special interest.

The commission further claimed that the defendant dishonestly converted $133,566.49, which was paid by Kobalt Music for digital distribution/publishing royalties, with the intent to permanently deprive Peter Okoye of his special interest.

The EFCC alleged that Jude converted $118,652.23, paid by Mtech Limited for music digital distribution/publishing royalties, with the same intent.

The prosecutor, Mohammed Bashir, informed the court that the alleged offences contravened sections 278 and 285 of the Laws of Lagos State.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Based on his plea, Bashir urged the court to fix a trial date and for the defendant to be remanded at the correctional centre.

However, the defence counsel, Clement Onwuenwunor (SAN), informed the court that he had filed an application for bail application on behalf of his client and urged the court to grant bail to the defendant.

In response, the prosecutor stated that he intended to file a response to the bail application and requested a short adjournment for the purpose.

After listening to the lawyers, Justice Oshodi adjourned the matter to March 6 for the hearing of the bail application.