In a dramatic twist to the ongoing fraud case against Jude Okoye, former manager of the defunct music group P-Square, singer Paul Okoye, also known as RudeBoy, has publicly accused his twin brother Peter Okoye of being behind the charges.
On Wednesday, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Jude Okoye and his company, Northside Music Ltd, before the Federal High Court in Lagos on charges of laundering ₦1.38 billion, $1 million, and £34,537.59. Jude, the elder brother of the popular duo P-Square, pleaded “not guilty” to the charges.
However, in a highly controversial statement made by Paul Okoye, he suggested that Peter, his twin brother, was responsible for the legal troubles faced by Jude.
Jude Okoye’s legal troubles began when the EFCC filed charges against him, alleging that he was involved in the illegal movement of large sums of money. The charges, which include seven counts, accuse him of laundering both Nigerian naira and foreign currencies. Jude was arraigned alongside his company, Northside Music Ltd, and was remanded in the Ikoyi correctional facility after he pleaded not guilty.
The case has caught the attention of many Nigerians, as the Okoye family has been at the centre of public scrutiny since the breakup of the popular music group P-Square in 2017. The P-Square duo, comprising of Peter and Paul Okoye, had been one of the most successful musical acts in Africa before they parted ways due to personal and professional differences. Their brother, Jude, had served as their manager and played a significant role in their rise to fame.
Jude’s arraignment before the Federal High Court has added another layer of drama to the already complicated Okoye family dynamics.
Following the arraignment, Paul Okoye made a statement to the press that has sparked a flurry of reactions. In a video that went viral on Friday, Paul openly accused his twin brother Peter of being the one responsible for the legal case against Jude. He alleged that Peter was orchestrating the charges in order to harm their brother.
Paul said, “I’m supporting him because I know the truth. The truth is Peter is the one putting Jude through these things. It’s Peter who is doing these. He is putting him in prison, and I’m here to bring him out.”
In an emotional appeal, Paul continued, “I’m only standing for the truth because the same crime that they accused him of doing, then Peter is guilty, Paul is also guilty too.” These statements suggest that Paul is implying that Peter might have been involved in similar activities, but it is Jude who is currently facing the consequences.
Paul’s outburst has raised eyebrows, as it hints at deep-seated tensions within the Okoye family. The video has quickly gone viral, with many fans and observers speculating about the truth behind the accusations.
The Okoye family’s history has been marked by public disputes and scandals. The most significant of these is the breakup of P-Square, which has remained one of the most talked-about incidents in Nigerian entertainment history. The brothers’ split, which was largely attributed to a rift between Peter and Jude, left fans heartbroken and created a divide within the P-Square fanbase.
