In a dramatic turn of events, Paul Okoye, one-half of the Nigerian music duo P-Square, has accused his twin brother and fellow band member, Peter Okoye, of orchestrating a Federal Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) investigation against him.
The latest development comes over two years after the twins reunited following a highly publicised split.
In an exclusive interview with City FM, Paul, also known as Rudeboy, alleged that Peter petitioned the EFCC to investigate him on charges including diverting funds and unexplained wealth.
“This started in December last year,” Paul revealed. “Peter filed a complaint against me and our older brother, Jude, alleging that I had been involved in financial misconduct.”
Paul’s claims follow a previous report that the EFCC had invited him for questioning.
The singer had initially taken to Instagram to assert that his wealth was derived from his successful music career.
He stated that the EFCC had requested details of his financial transactions dating back to 2006.
“I was completely taken aback when I received the EFCC’s invitation,” Paul said. “They had all my account statements laid out, and I was questioned thoroughly.
“I feared the worst and questioned myself about what I might be accused of. It was a terrifying experience, thinking that if I were guilty, the consequences could have been severe.”
Paul went on to explain that the EFCC had informed him, his brother Jude, and Peter that he was cleared of all charges.
“The EFCC concluded that after a thorough investigation, I am innocent,” Paul said. “They confirmed that my wealth is legitimate and that there was no wrongdoing. It was just a lifestyle misunderstanding.”
The twin brothers, Peter and Paul Okoye, first gained fame as P-Square in the early 2000s.
Known for their infectious rhythms and harmonized vocals, they became one of Africa’s most popular music acts.
However, their journey has been marred by public spats and a significant breakup in 2017.
Their separation was a major event in the Nigerian entertainment scene, with fans left in dismay over the duo’s split.
In 2021, P-Square made headlines once again with their much-anticipated reunion.
Their return was marked by a renewed sense of optimism and an effort to restore the group’s former glory. Paul recounted how he sought his brother’s advice during their reunion.
“We discussed how to keep the P-Square essence intact,” he said. “I suggested that if we were to release ten songs, five should come from each of us to maintain balance and avoid unnecessary conflicts.”
Despite these efforts, Paul said the reconciliation was short-lived.
“I tried to protect the group and avoid the mistakes of the past, but it wasn’t enough,” he lamented. “Peter decided to quit again, which left me in a difficult position.”
Paul expressed his frustration over the ongoing confusion among fans.
“Whenever I release a solo song, fans always ask about P-Square,” he noted. “The new P-Square was more peaceful, but suddenly Peter wanted to quit. I had to go public with our split because otherwise, I would be unfairly labelled as the bad guy.”
He also mentioned having a backlog of over two hundred unreleased songs, which he is unsure how to handle. “I’m not condemning anyone, but it’s important for fans to know the truth about what’s happening,” Paul said. “I want to clear up the confusion and let them understand the real reasons behind our split.”
