P-Square’s Brother Jude Okoye Remanded After Pleading “Not Guilty” In Alleged N1.3bn Fraud Case
Rich Nigerian, Jude Okoye has been remanded in Ikoyi Correctional Centre following his arrangement by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) on charges of laundering laundering to the tune of N1.38billion, $ 1 million and £34,537.59.
Jude is the elder brother and former manager of Paul and Peter Okoye of the defunct music group, P-Square.
He was arraigned alongside his company, Northside Music Ltd, before Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court, Lagos, on a seven-count charge.
One of charges against him read: “That you, Jude Okoye Chigozie and Northside Music Ltd sometime in 2022, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did directly acquire a landed property known as No 5, Tony Eromosele Street Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos worth N850,000,000.00 (Eight hundred and fifty million naira) only, which money you knew or reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful act and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 (2) (d) and punishable under Section 18 (3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
Another count read: “That you, Jude Okoye Chigozie and Northside Music Ltd sometime in 2022, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did indirectly using bureau de change convert the sum of $1,019,762.87 (One million nineteen thousand, seven hundred and six-two dollars eighty-seven cents), domiciled in Access Bank Plc operated by Northside Music Lid to the naira equivalent and remitted into various bank accounts with the intention of concealing that the said fund form part of the proceeds of an unlawful act and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 (2)(a) and punishable under Section 18 (3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
Mr Okoya pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
Justice Owoeye while rejecting the request of his lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, who informed the court of a pending bail application that he be remand in EFCC custody, ordered that Mr Okoye be remanded in the Ikoyi correctional facility.
The judge subsequently adjourned the matter till February 28 for bail hearing and April 14 for trial.
