Singer Peter Okoye has told a Federal High Court in Lagos that he received additional than $800,000 in royalties from France-based music rights organisation SACEM for songs recorded by the former music category, P-Square.
His lawyer told him that the pursue was made on October 16, 2022, and that Jude obtained and sent the records six days later, on October 22.
Asked if he told Jude on the finance, Peter replied: “No, the resources was for the artists.”
Jude has pleaded not guilty.
Jude Okoye and his business, Northside Music Restricted, are facing a seven-count expense filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged fraud involving N1.3 billion and $1 million.
Nevertheless, he rejected Jude’s allege to a communicate of the SACEM royalties, saying the cash belonged to him and his twin brother, Paul.
He furthermore confirmed that the 10 songs that generated the SACEM royalties were P-Square songs.
Peter said he had previously given Jude 25 per cent of his SACEM remit but denied that Jude later demanded quarterly payments subsequent to the royalties were reconciled in 2022.
He explained that their business organization was throughout Northside Entertainment Modest.
On Jude’s attitude as P-Square’s director, Peter said they did not have an employment agreement using each other.
He greater maintained that he and Paul wrote, composed and produced all P-Square songs, despite the truth that he acknowledged that Jude directed some of the collection’s music videos.
He said the document covered royalties from 2016 to 2022, including payments linked to Lex Records.
Peter confirmed that he in the finish received the royalty declaration from Jude.
“No. I don’t have any and I can’t recall,” he said.
He told the court that he wanted the records owing to the truth that some individuals were interested in buying the P-Square music catalogue.
Peter disagreed, saying he had asked for the records earlier in 2022. But when asked to present a content remark, email or any other evidence showing that he made the look for prior to October 16, he admitted that he could not.
When asked if Jude was a associate of P-Square, Peter said: “Jude is not section of P-Square.”
He insisted that Jude was not a person of the staff.
When asked on the SACEM agreement, which was signed by Jude rather than Peter or Paul, Peter said it was signed by “the group”.
When asked on claims that he received around $800,000 from SACEM betwixt 2016 and 2026, Peter admitted receiving the cash.
Peter additionally confirmed that Jude sent him the account details in 2022 and that the EFCC knew the documents had been forwarded to him.
He, nevertheless, said the money belonged to the artists and that Jude received nothing from the payments.
SACEM collects and distributes royalties to songwriters, composers and music publishers.
During the hearing, Peter was questioned around his earlier allege that Jude delayed for extra than three months prior to giving him P-Square’s royalty records once he requested them in 2022.
Peter made the disclosure whilst testifying virtually ahead of Justice Alexander Owoeye. He was cross-examined by Clement Onwuewunor, SAN, who is representing his brother, Jude Okoye.
The court adjourned the case before December 8 and 9, 2026, for additional hearing.
Peter Okoye tells court he received over $800,000 in P-Square royalties
Source: Peter Okoye tells court he received over $800,000 in P-Square royalties
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