EFCC Strikes Out Claims That Jude And Paul Okoye Withdrew $800,000
EFCC has told a Lagos High Court in Ikeja that it has no evidence to back claims that Jude and Paul Okoye of P-Square fraudulently withdrew $800,000, contrary to allegations by their brother, Peter Okoye. Peter had petitioned the EFCC in 2024, accusing Jude and Paul of diverting P-Square funds, operating 47 undeclared bank accounts, and manipulating the shareholding structure of Northside Entertainment Ltd, a company they jointly own. Following the petition, the EFCC filed charges against Jude over alleged financial misconduct in the management of the P-Square brand. During cross-examination, EFCC counsel M.K. Bashir told Justice Rahman Oshodi that the commission could not substantiate Peter’s claim. “We do not have it. It is his evidence. Let him prove it. I can’t give what I don’t have,” he said. Peter had testified on May 23, 2025, claiming he obtained new evidence showing Jude and Paul allegedly withdrew and shared more than $800,000 between March 2023 and October 2024. When confronted with inconsistencies by defence counsel Clement Onwuenwunor, SAN, he adjusted his statement, saying the withdrawal actually occurred between 2013 and 2014. The defence also challenged Peter’s assertion that Jude operated 47 bank accounts. Peter insisted the EFCC held the records, but Bashir denied it: “I do not have 47 bank accounts. It is one of the witness’s claims, but I do not have such a copy.” Onwuenwunor asked the court to compel Peter and the EFCC to produce the alleged accounts. Justice Oshodi rejected the request, ruling that the defence must apply formally since the documents were neither before the court nor part of admitted evidence. Peter was further questioned on his claim that Jude owned 80 per cent of Northside Entertainment. He maintained he had proof, but the defence presented CAC records that contradicted his assertion. Peter also said he only became aware of Northside Music in 2024, when Cynthia Morgan sent him her contract on Northside Entertainment letterhead. He added that although the contract was signed with Northside Music, her albums were credited to Northside Inc. The trial was adjourned to December 12, 2025, for continuation.