A Lagos court on Thursday granted N50 million bail to Jude Okoye, former manager of the defunct hip-hop group P-Square, and his company, Northside Music Limited. They are facing charges of theft totaling $1,019,763.87 and £34,537.59.
Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Special Offences Court in Ikeja ordered that Jude Okoye be granted bail, with two sureties in a similar amount. The charges against them include the alleged theft and conversion of royalties between 2016 and 2023.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) claims that Okoye and his company unlawfully took over $1 million and £34,000 from digital music royalties.
During the arraignment, EFCC counsel Mohammed Bashir stated the theft violated Lagos State’s Criminal Laws of 2011. However, Jude Okoye’s lawyer, Clement Onwuenwunor (SAN), filed a bail application on February 27, 2025. Justice Oshodi set the hearing for March 6, 2025, and ordered Okoye’s continued detention at Ikoyi Correctional Centre until then.
Jude Okoye also faces separate charges before the Federal High Court, where he was granted bail earlier in the week.
Justice Oshodi’s ruling on the bail application required that the sureties reside within the court’s jurisdiction and provide proof of tax payments for the past three years. Okoye was also ordered to surrender both his Nigerian and St. Kitts and Nevis passports, with immigration authorities notified to withhold them.
The defense argued the case was a civil dispute between family members, while the prosecution countered, noting Okoye’s dual citizenship and the risk of him fleeing the country.
The court adjourned the case until May 16 and 23, 2025, for trial.
