Peter Okoye Admits Receiving Over $800,000 SACEM Royalties in Court
Kehinde Adeleye
Singer Peter Okoye has told a Federal High Court in Lagos that he received more than $800,000 in royalties from France-based music rights organisation, SACEM, for songs recorded by his former group, P-Square.
Okoye made the disclosure while testifying virtually before Justice Alexander Owoeye during the trial of his brother, Jude Okoye, and his company, Northside Music Limited.
Jude is facing a seven-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged fraud involving N1.3 billion and $1 million. He has pleaded not guilty.
Peter was cross-examined by Clement Onwuewunor, SAN, counsel to Jude.
During the proceedings, Peter was questioned about his earlier testimony that Jude delayed for more than three months before providing him with P-Square’s royalty records after he requested them in 2022.
His lawyer put it to him that the request was made on October 16, 2022, and that Jude obtained and forwarded the records six days later, on October 22.
Peter disagreed, maintaining that he had requested the records earlier in 2022. However, when asked to produce a text message, email or other evidence showing that he made the request before October 16, he admitted that he could not.
“No. I don’t have any and I can’t recall,” he told the court.
Peter confirmed that he eventually received the royalty statement from Jude, saying it covered payments from 2016 to 2022, including royalties linked to Lex Records.
He told the court that he sought the records because some people were interested in acquiring the P-Square music catalogue.
Peter also confirmed that Jude sent him the account details in 2022 and that the EFCC was aware that the documents had been forwarded to him.
However, he disputed Jude’s claim to a share of the SACEM royalties, insisting that the money belonged to him and his twin brother, Paul Okoye.
When questioned about the SACEM agreement, which was signed by Jude rather than Peter or Paul, the singer said it was signed by “the team”.
He, however, maintained that Jude was not a member of the team.
Peter also confirmed that the 10 songs that generated the SACEM royalties were P-Square songs.
He told the court that he had previously given Jude 25 per cent of his SACEM earnings but denied that his brother later demanded quarterly payments after the royalties were reconciled in 2022.
When asked about claims that he received about $800,000 from SACEM between 2016 and 2026, Peter admitted receiving the funds.
He, however, maintained that the money belonged to the artistes and that Jude received no part of the payments.
Asked whether he informed Jude about the money, Peter replied: “No, the money was for the artists.”
On Jude’s role as manager of P-Square, Peter said the brothers did not have an employment agreement with each other.
He explained that their business arrangement was conducted through Northside Entertainment Limited.
When asked whether Jude was a member of P-Square, Peter told the court: “Jude is not part of P-Square.”
He further maintained that he and Paul wrote, composed and produced all P-Square songs, while acknowledging that Jude directed some of the group’s music videos.
The court adjourned the case until December 8 and 9, 2026, for further hearing.
