Former manager of the defunct music duo P-Square, Jude Okoye, has been granted ₦50 million bail after being arraigned over allegations of theft amounting to $1,019,763.87 and £34,537.59.
Okoye, who is also the CEO of Northside Music Limited, appeared before Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Special Offences Court, Ikeja, where he was granted bail on the condition that he provides two sureties in like sum.
The judge outlined stringent conditions for Okoye’s release, including:
• The sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and present three years’ tax payment evidence.
• Okoye must surrender his two international passports (Nigerian and St. Kitts & Nevis) to the court registrar.
• The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) must notify immigration authorities to prevent him from leaving the country.
During the hearing, Okoye’s counsel, Clement Onwuenwnor (SAN), pleaded for bail, arguing that the case was merely a civil dispute between business partners and family members. He also proposed that Okoye be released to his younger brother, who was willing to stand as a surety.
However, EFCC counsel, Mohammed Bashir, opposed the bail, citing concerns that:
• Okoye holds dual citizenship, increasing the risk of flight.
• No credible evidence was provided to support claims of ill health.
• The multiple charges against him could compel him to abscond.
Despite the prosecution’s objections, the judge ruled in favor of bail but emphasized that the court had taken the dual citizenship issue into consideration while setting the conditions.
The case has been adjourned until May 16 and 23, 2025, for further proceedings.
