Peter Okoye Reveals He Received Over $800,000 in P-Square Royalties SACEM, Court Told

Singer Peter Okoye has told a Federal High Court in Lagos that he received more than $800,000 in royalties from SACEM, the France-based music rights organisation, for songs recorded by the defunct music group P-Square.

Peter made the disclosure while testifying virtually before Justice Alexander Owoeye. He was cross-examined by Clement Onwuewunor, SAN, who represents his brother, Jude Okoye.

SACEM is responsible for collecting and distributing royalties to songwriters, composers and music publishers.

Jude Okoye and his company, Northside Music Limited, are currently facing a seven-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), involving allegations of fraud connected to ₦1.3 billion and $1 million. Jude has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

During the hearing, Peter was questioned about an earlier claim that Jude took more than three months to hand over P-Square’s royalty records after he requested them in 2022. His lawyer pointed out that the request was made on October 16, 2022, and that Jude sent the records just six days later, on October 22.

Peter disagreed, insisting he had made the request earlier in the year. But when asked to provide any evidence, a text, an email, or anything else, showing he’d asked before October 16, he admitted he couldn’t.

“No. I don’t have any and I can’t recall,” he said.

He confirmed he eventually received the royalty statement, which covered payments from 2016 to 2022, including money linked to Lex Records. He said he wanted the records because there was interest from potential buyers in acquiring the P-Square music catalogue.

Peter also confirmed Jude sent him the account details in 2022, and that the EFCC was aware the documents had been forwarded to him.

He rejected any claim that Jude was entitled to a share of the SACEM royalties, maintaining that the money belonged only to him and his twin brother, Paul. Asked about the SACEM agreement, which was signed by Jude rather than by Peter or Paul, Peter said it was signed by “the team,” but insisted Jude was not part of that team.

He confirmed the 10 songs that generated the SACEM royalties were all P-Square songs, and said he had previously given Jude 25% of his SACEM earnings. However, he denied that Jude later demanded quarterly payments after the royalties were reconciled in 2022.

When asked about the roughly $800,000 he received from SACEM between 2016 and 2026, Peter confirmed receiving the funds but said the money belonged to the artists, adding that Jude received nothing from those payments. Asked whether he told Jude about the money, Peter said, “No, the money was for the artists.”

On Jude’s role, Peter said the two brothers never had a formal employment agreement, and that their business relationship ran through Northside Entertainment Limited. He also stated plainly, “Jude is not part of P-Square,” maintaining that he and Paul wrote, composed and produced all of P-Square’s songs, though he acknowledged Jude directed some of the group’s music videos.

The court has adjourned the case to December 8 and 9, 2026, for continued hearing.