“The Money Was for the Artistes”: Peter Okoye Testifies on $800,000 SACEM Royalties in Ongoing Legal Battle LAGOS, Nigeria — In the latest twist surrounding the legal battles involving Afrobeats group P-Square, singer Peter Okoye testified before the Federal High Court in Lagos regarding international royalty payouts. Testifying virtually before Justice Alexander Owoeye during cross-examination, Peter admitted to receiving roughly $800,000 in music royalties from the French rights organization SACEM, but maintained that his elder brother and former manager, Jude Okoye, was not entitled to a share. The testimony comes as part of an ongoing Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) trial where Jude Okoye and his company, Northside Music Limited, face a seven-count charge over alleged financial fraud involving ₦1.3 billion and $1 million. Jude has pleaded not guilty to all charges. “Jude Is Not Part of P-Square” Under cross-examination by defense counsel Clement Onwuewunor (SAN), Peter was questioned about why Jude received no portion of the $800,000 collected between 2016 and 2026. “No, the money was for the artistes,” Peter testified when asked if he had informed Jude about the funds or shared the proceeds. Peter explained to the court that the payments generated from 10 P-Square tracks belonged strictly to him and his twin brother, Paul Okoye. He added that he and Paul wrote, composed, and produced the group’s music catalog, whereas Jude's technical involvement was limited to directing some of their music videos. When asked about Jude’s status as manager, Peter stated there was no direct employment contract between them as individuals, noting that business operations were run through Northside Entertainment Limited. "Jude is not part of P-Square," Peter told the court, disputing the assertion that signing group agreements granted Jude rights to artist-level royalties. Cross-Examination and Catalogue Disputes The cross-examination also addressed royalty records from 2022. The defense put it to Peter that when he requested back-end royalty data in October 2022 to evaluate a potential sale of the P-Square music catalogue, Jude supplied the documentation within six days. While Peter agreed that he received the report covering 2016 to 2022, he insisted he had initiated the request earlier that year. However, when asked to provide written records or messages confirming an earlier request date, Peter stated he could not recall or produce them. Next Steps in Court The proceedings mark another chapter in the public fallout between the Okoye brothers, whose long-standing business and family disputes have drawn widespread coverage across the African entertainment industry. Justice Owoeye adjourned the matter to December 8 and 9, 2026, for further hearing.