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The Lagos State Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja has ordered the remand of Jude Okoye, the elder brother and former manager of Paul and Peter Okoye of the defunct music group, P-Square, for an alleged theft of $1 million and £34,537.59.
Justice Rahman Oshodi remanded him at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre where he is being held, pending the hearing of his bail application.
The judge adjourned the case until March 6 for a hearing of the bail application.
The EFCC had arraigned the defendant alongside his company, Northside Music Ltd on a four-count charge.
In one of the counts, Jude and his Northside Music Limited allegedly dishonestly converted the sum of $767,544.15 to his use. The alleged sum was paid by Lex Records limited as payment for music digital distribution/publishing royalties with intent to deprive his brother, Peter Okoye, his special interest in the asset.
The EFCC prosecutor, Mohammed Bashiru, said the alleged offences were committed sometime between 2016 and 2023.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The EFCC Counsel then asked the court for a trial date and that the defendant be remanded at the correctional centre.
The defendant’s counsel, Clement Onwuenwunor (SAN), however, informed the court that he had a bail application dated January 27 and filed on behalf of his client. He asked the court to grant bail to the defendant.
The prosecutor told the court that he intended to file a response to the application. He asked the court for a short adjournment to enable him to do so.
Following the submissions of both counsels, Justice Oshodi ordered the remand of the defendant and adjourned till Wednesday.
Jude Okoye is also facing allegations of money laundering involving N1.38bn, $1m, and £34,537.59 before the Federal High Court, Lagos.
On March 3rd, that court granted him bail in the sum of N100m, with two sureties in like sum, before adjourning till April 14, for the commencement of trial.
