In shocking Nigerian music industry news, Jude Okoye , prominent owner of Northside Entertainment, has responded to the EFCC petition filed against him by his brother and former partner, Peter Okoye. The petition, quietly filed without Jude’s knowledge, accuses him of diverting funds from their shared company to a secretive firm.
Jude vehemently denies these allegations, revealing in a live video that he established Northside Entertainment over a decade ago, independently from his relationships with siblings Peter and Paul Okoye.
He stated his funds are justifiably his, proving the validity of this claim with a legally binding sharing formula agreed upon by all trio members.
Unexpectedly, Jude claims that his brothers, also known as the famous P-Square duo, had stopped sharing royalties with him in direct violation of their signed agreement.
The brothers’ discord erupted into the public eye when Jude stopped sharing royalties following an internal dispute within P-Square. However, he resumed sharing after the brothers resolved their issues and returned to making music together.
The EFCC case examining these allegations is underway, with Jude commending the commission for their meticulous investigation.
Interestingly, Jude also noted that his wife had been instrumental in guiding him during his video statement, shedding light on the support he has received amidst the turmoil.
In defending his actions, Jude reiterated that his share from P-Square’s earnings is a justified entitlement based on their agreement. He stressed that he had not cheated his brothers, emphasizing that all parties mutually accepted the royalty-sharing formula.
He said: “This guy (Peter) came to my compound to play with my son, and knowing fully well, he just submitted a petition against me. I almost lost my mind.”
Speaking on how Paul got involved, Jude said that, to defend himself, he had to file a petition against P-Square so that the anti-graft agency would see that the money he has in his account, Peter and Paul also have in theirs and he wasn’t cheating them.
Jude added: “I got my petition in place against P-Square because that’s the only way I can defend myself.
“They were all busy focusing on my account to see what Peter alleged I was having as P-Square royalties. I couldn’t get them to focus on their account to see the evidence that I was having; they also have their share.”
He added that the EFCC case is ongoing, and the Commission has been extensive.
He stated that whatever money he took was rightfully his based on their agreed-sharing formula.
Jude explained: “You said that I was taking money that I’m entitled to. You get your royalty when it’s due and share into three. Paul gets his own, and he shares into three. I get my own, and I share into three.
“P-Square had issues; you stopped sharing. I told Paul to stop sharing, too, and let everybody keep what they get, and it has been like that for over four and a half years.
“P-Square came back together; I did the noble thing, brought it back to the fold again, and everybody continued sharing.
“But to date, two and half years after they came back, Paul is still not sharing, Peter is still not sharing. They get it; they keep it to themselves. I said, ‘No problem, let me move on with my life.’ I still end up in EFCC.”
This revelation potentially drastically alters the familial and business dynamics between the three Okoye brothers while also impacting the Nigerian music industry. As the EFCC investigation continues, fans and industry insiders await updates on this unfolding saga.
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