The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Jude Okoye, former manager and elder brother of Paul and Peter Okoye from the now-defunct music group P-Square, on charges of money laundering involving ₦1.38 billion, $1 million, and £34,537.59.
Okoye was arraigned alongside his company, Northside Music Ltd, before Justice Alexander Owoeye at the Federal High Court in Lagos on a seven-count charge.
One of the counts 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 ₦850,000,000.00 (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.”
He pleaded “not guilty” to the charges.
Following Jude Okoye’s plea, the prosecution counsel, Larry Peters Aso, requested a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendant to a correctional facility pending the proceedings.
Okoye’s lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, informed the court of a pending bail application and requested a short date for its hearing. He also pleaded for his client to remain in EFCC custody until the application was considered.
However, Aso opposed the request, arguing that the EFCC facility was already overcrowded with suspects awaiting arraignment. He insisted that since Okoye had entered a plea, he should be remanded in a correctional facility.
Justice Alexander Owoeye scheduled the bail hearing for February 28 and set April 14 for the trial. He also ordered that Okoye be remanded at the Ikoyi correctional facility.
