The long-running financial dispute among members of the now-disbanded music group Psquare took an unexpected twist on Friday at the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja.
During the continuation of the cross-examination, EFCC prosecutor Mohammed Bashir told Justice Rahman Oshodi that the commission lacked evidence to back up Peter “Mr P” Okoye’s claim that his brothers, Jude and Paul “Rudeboy” Okoye, unlawfully withdrew $800,000 from the group’s bank account.
The case originated from a 2024 petition filed by Peter, who accused Jude — Psquare’s former manager — of financial irregularities involving the brand.
Peter alleged in the petition that Jude siphoned funds belonging to the group, ran 47 undisclosed bank accounts, and altered the shareholders’ structure of their jointly owned company, Northside Entertainment Ltd.
The allegations led the EFCC to file charges against Jude.
“We do not have it. It is his evidence. Let him prove it. I can’t give what I don’t have,” Bashir stated on Friday, effectively distancing the prosecution from Peter’s $800,000 claim.
Jude is standing trial alongside his company Northside Music Ltd for allegedly laundering N1.38 billion, $1 million, and £34,537.59.
The EFCC had claimed that Jude converted payments from Lex Records Limited intended for digital music distribution, depriving Peter of his share.
The trial has seen Peter take the stand as a witness. On May 23, 2025, he testified that new evidence revealed that Jude and Paul had withdrawn and shared over $800,000 between March 2023 and October 2024.
Under cross-examination by Clement Onwuenwunor, Jude’s counsel, Peter revised the timeline, stating the withdrawals occurred between 2013 and 2014.
Oshodi adjourned the case to December 12, 2025, for the continuation of the trial.
