Jude Okoye, former manager and elder brother of the defunct music duo P-Square, has been granted bail ahead of his trial for alleged financial fraud.
The court set his bail at N100 million following accusations of laundering N1.38 billion, $1 million, and £34,537.59, to which he pleaded “not guilty.”
Okoye was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and initially held at the Ikoyi Correctional Facility under the order of Judge Alexander Owoeye at a federal high court in Lagos. His lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, requested that he remain in EFCC custody pending trial, but prosecutor Larry Peters Aso opposed the request, citing concerns about potential flight risk and witness interference.
During Friday’s hearing, a bail application was submitted, and by Monday, the judge granted bail under strict conditions. Okoye must provide two sureties with Lagos properties worth at least N100 million each, with the court verifying the documents. Additionally, he is prohibited from leaving the country without court approval and will remain in custody until he meets the bail requirements. His trial is set to begin on April 14, 2025.
The allegations against Okoye emerge amid longstanding family disputes. The fallout between his twin brothers, Paul and Peter Okoye, began in 2017, leading to P-Square’s split as they pursued solo careers. Their conflict, reportedly tied to Jude’s managerial role, saw a brief reconciliation in 2021, which later unraveled.
In August 2024, Paul accused Peter of orchestrating his arrest by the EFCC, sparking further accusations. Peter claimed Jude had secretly diverted millions from their joint account into a private company, leading him to involve the EFCC after Paul allegedly challenged him to “do your worst.”
In response, Jude maintained that he had tried to mend his brothers’ rift, even claiming to have “sacrificed himself” in the process.
