On Wednesday, Jude, the former manager of the defunct music duo P-Square, was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on charges of laundering ₦1.38 billion, $1 million, and £34,537.59.
He appeared alongside his company, Northside Music Ltd, before Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court in Lagos, facing a seven-count charge. Jude pleaded “not guilty” to all charges.
During the proceedings, Jude’s lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, requested that his client be remanded in EFCC custody. However, the prosecuting lawyer, Larry Aso, opposed the request, leading Justice Owoeye to order Jude’s remand at the Ikoyi Correctional Facility pending the hearing of his bail application.
In a viral video recorded at the court premises on Friday, Paul Okoye expressed his support for Jude, vowing to secure his release. He also made startling allegations against his twin brother, Peter.
“I’m supporting him because I know the truth,” Paul told journalists. “The truth is, Peter is the one putting Jude through these things. It’s Peter who is doing this. He is putting him in prison, and I’m here to bring him out.”
Paul further claimed that both he and Peter were equally culpable in the alleged crimes. “The same crime they accused him of doing—Peter is guilty, and Paul is also guilty too,” he stated.
The case has drawn significant attention, given the Okoye family’s prominence in the Nigerian entertainment industry. Jude, who previously managed P-Square, has been at the center of the brothers’ long-standing feud, which led to the group’s breakup in 2017.
As the legal battle unfolds, Paul’s public accusations against Peter have added another layer of complexity to the family’s ongoing disputes.