Absence of Peter stalls elder brother’s alleged N1.3bn fraud trial

The trial of Jude Okoye, former manager of the defunct music group P-Square, was on Wednesday stalled at the Federal High Court in Lagos, following the absence of the prosecution’s witness and nominal complainant, Peter Okoye, who was scheduled to be cross-examined by the defence.

Jude Okoye and his company, Northside Music Limited, are standing trial before Justice Alexander Owoeye on allegations of N1.3 bn and $1m fraud.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had arraigned the defendants on a seven-count charge, to which they pleaded not guilty.

At the resumed hearing, EFCC’s counsel, G. C Akaogu, informed the court that Peter Okoye was unable to attend proceedings because his flight from Abuja to Lagos had been rescheduled.

“The witness called and told me that his flight from Abuja was rescheduled. That was why he could not make it to court today,” the prosecutor told the court.

“I equally informed the learned Silk of this development this morning,” he added, while urging the court to adjourn the matter to another date.

However, counsel to the defendants, Clement Onwuenwunor (SAN), challenged the explanation offered by the prosecution.

While confirming that he had been notified of the witness’s absence, the senior advocate questioned the claim that Peter Okoye was stranded outside Lagos due to a flight disruption.

“The prosecutor informed me of the development when I was at Falomo, close to the court. I complained bitterly because I ought to be in Akure for another matter,” Onwuenwunor said.

He further told the court that information available to him suggested that the witness had not travelled out of Lagos.

“In fact, I was just told that the witness did not travel. He is in Lagos, and I do not know why the prosecutor said his flight was rescheduled,” the defence counsel submitted.

The court did not make any pronouncement on the conflicting claims regarding the witness’s whereabouts.

Following the development, Justice Owoeye adjourned the matter until September 21, 2026, for the continuation of trial.

The case arose over allegations by the EFCC that Jude Okoye and Northside Music Limited were involved in fraudulent transactions amounting to N1.3 bn and $1m.

The defendants denied all the allegations and pleaded not guilty to the charges.