The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday told a Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja that it has no evidence to substantiate Peter Okoye’s claim that his brothers, Jude and Paul Okoye of the defunct music group P-Square, fraudulently withdrew $800,000.

Peter Okoye had filed a petition with the EFCC in 2024, alleging that Jude Okoye misappropriated funds belonging to the P-Square brand, operated 47 undeclared bank accounts, and manipulated the shareholding structure of Northside Entertainment Ltd., a company co-owned by the brothers. The petition prompted the EFCC to press charges against Jude, accusing him of financial mismanagement related to the P-Square brand.

During resumed cross-examination on Friday, EFCC counsel Mohammed Bashir told Justice Rahman Oshodi that the commission could not produce evidence supporting the alleged $800,000 withdrawal.

“We do not have it. It is his evidence. Let him prove it. I can’t give what I don’t have,” Bashir said in court.

Jude Okoye and his Northside Music Limited company were arraigned on March 4, 2025, facing four counts relating to the alleged theft and conversion of $1 million and £34,000 in royalties from digital music distribution and publishing. At the arraignment, the EFCC claimed that Jude and Northside Music Limited allegedly converted $767,544.15 in payments made by Lex Records Limited, intending to permanently deprive Peter Okoye of his share. Jude was granted bail of N50 million on March 6, 2025.

During the trial, Peter testified on May 23, 2025, that new evidence indicated Jude and Paul withdrew and shared over $800,000 between March 2023 and October 2024. Under cross-examination by defence counsel Clement Onwuenwunor (SAN), he revised the timeline to 2013–2014. Peter also claimed Jude operated 47 bank accounts and held an 80% stake in Northside Entertainment, allegations the EFCC said it could not corroborate.

Bashir told the court, “I do not have 47 bank accounts. It is one of the witness’s claims, but I do not have such a copy.” The defence also presented Corporate Affairs Commission records disputing Peter’s assertion of an 80% stake in the company.

Peter further admitted that he only became aware of Northside Music in 2024, after artist Cynthia Morgan sent him her contract on the company’s letterhead, even though her albums were credited to Northside Inc.

Justice Oshodi adjourned proceedings to December 12, 2025, for the continuation of the trial.