Popular Nigerian singer, Peter Okoye of the music duo P-Square, has reacted to strong allegations of giving false information in a case involving missing royalties and company finances.
At the Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr Clement Onwuenwunor, told the court that Peter’s statement to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission was full of lies meant to mislead the anti-graft agency.
The case is being heard by Justice Alexander Owoeye.
During cross-examination, the defence lawyer accused Peter of lying about his university education. He said Peter claimed to be a graduate of the University of Abuja in his EFCC statement, but school records showed he dropped out in his first year.
“Mr P, on page A5 of your EFCC statement, you claimed to be a graduate. That is untrue. You dropped out at 100 level,” Onwuenwunor said.
Peter responded, “I went to UNIABUJA, but that’s not why I’m here. I dropped out at 300 level and took a transcript to UST (University of Science and Technology), Port Harcourt.”
When asked if he had any certificate from UST, Peter replied, “No.”
Justice Owoeye warned Peter for speaking rudely in court. His lawyer, M. Bashir, had to step in a few times to calm him down.
Peter also told the court earlier that Jude Okoye’s wife, Ifeoma, owned 80 per cent of Northside Music Ltd, while Jude had 20 per cent. But the defence brought forward official records from the Corporate Affairs Commission, showing that Jude actually owns 80 per cent and his wife owns 20 per cent.
Peter admitted in court that his previous claim was wrong.
The defence also said Peter lied about not having access to Northside Music Ltd’s accounts. He had told the EFCC that only Jude was a signatory. But the defence presented a signed bank mandate showing Jude as a Category A signatory, while Peter and his twin brother Paul were listed as Category B signatories.
“This proves you had access to the accounts all along,” Onwuenwunor told the court.
Bank statements from Ecobank were also submitted as evidence. They showed regular royalty payments from Lex Records through Mad Solutions Ltd, the company in charge of P-Square’s music catalogue, from 2012 to 2017. The defence insisted that Peter benefitted from these payments.
They accused Peter of changing facts to deceive both the EFCC and the court.
Reacting to the court proceedings on social media, Peter wrote: “Exactly what I was talking about: their publicist doing everything for me to look like a liar. I am not MayD or Cynthia Morgan; I am PETER OKOYE, the one and only THE ROCK/OKWUTE of the Okoyes. The truth shall surely prevail.”
He added that he was used during the November 2021 P-Square reunion: “Only to find out that I was actually used in the whole November 2021 reunion! But since we are in court, I will wait for the right time to tell what really went down! #FamilyDoesNotStealFromFamily.”
Peter also compared the situation to the controversy surrounding the death of singer Mohbad.
“After watching everything about Mohbad’s death and how the whole thing played out to date, I decided to myself that I would never play the bigger person nor act as the mature one. And that’s exactly what led to this whole madness. Simply because I was trying to be the bigger person and act maturely! Omo! Never again. So love me or hate me, I will continue speaking my truth! #UnaThiefAbiUnalloThief #FamilyDoesNotStealFromFamily.”
Justice Owoeye has adjourned the case to October 23 and November 10, 2025, for further cross-examination and trial.
