Singer Peter Okoye has told the Federal High Court in Lagos that he received more than $800,000 in royalties linked to musical works recorded by P-Square.
Peter gave the evidence virtually before Justice Alexander Owoeye while being cross-examined by Clement Onwuewunor, SAN, counsel to his elder brother, Jude Okoye.
Jude Okoye and his company, Northside Music Limited, are standing trial on a seven-count charge instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The prosecution alleges financial offences involving approximately ₦1.3 billion and $1 million.
Jude has pleaded not guilty.
During cross-examination, Peter confirmed receiving royalty payments through SACEM, the French collective-management organisation responsible for collecting and distributing royalties to songwriters, composers and music publishers.
The testimony also revisited disagreements concerning P-Square’s royalty records.
Peter had previously said Jude delayed in providing certain backend royalty records after they were requested in 2022.
During cross-examination, defence counsel referred to correspondence suggesting a request was made on October 16, 2022, and documents were forwarded several days later.
Peter maintained that he had sought information earlier, although reports of the proceedings indicate that he accepted he did not have documentary evidence of that earlier request.
Peter further maintained that the SACEM royalties belonged to him and his twin brother Paul as members of P-Square and disputed any suggestion that Jude was entitled to a share merely by virtue of his role in the group’s affairs.
Those issues form part of evidence being tested in court and should not be treated as findings of wrongdoing.
The case combines criminal prosecution with broader questions about royalty accounting, intellectual property, music management and financial relationships within Nigeria’s entertainment industry.
Further hearing has been scheduled for December.
READ MORE: LegalLinkz — Peter Okoye Explains Fallout With Paul, Jude Okoye
Read related LegalLinkz story
SOURCE:
Vanguard
TheCable Lifestyle
