Peter Okoye Admits Co-Signatory Role in $1m Fraud Trial, Contradicts Earlier Denial

Popular Nigerian singer Peter Okoye has admitted before the Lagos High Court that he is a co-signatory to a bank account central to an ongoing $1 million fraud trial, a revelation that contradicts his earlier public claim of non-involvement.

The disclosure emerged during proceedings in the trial of his elder brother, Jude Okoye, who is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged financial misconduct.

Court documents presented by counsel showed that Peter was listed as a co-signatory to Northside Entertainment Limited’s account domiciled with Ecobank Nigeria.

Under cross-examination, the singer confirmed that he was added as a co-signatory alongside his twin brother but maintained that he neither signed cheques nor carried out any transactions on the account.

Peter explained that his earlier denial of involvement stemmed from information conveyed to him during a telephone conversation with bank officials.

According to his testimony, Jude was initially the sole signatory to the account before he and his twin brother were later included.

Clarifying ownership issues surrounding the group’s intellectual property, Peter stated that the music catalogue of P-Square belongs exclusively to him and his twin brother, not Jude.

He added that the duo’s business operations were conducted through Northside Entertainment Limited and Square Records Limited, which oversaw their music production and commercial dealings.

The EFCC alleges that approximately $1 million was withdrawn from Northside Entertainment Limited’s account without proper authorization. Prosecutors have accused Jude of misappropriating company funds and breaching fiduciary trust in the management of the group’s finances.

The case adds a new dimension to the long-running family dispute that has trailed the celebrated music duo’s business affairs.

Once managed by Jude, the brothers parted ways in 2017 following financial disagreements, reunited in 2021, and later split again amid renewed tensions over royalties and corporate control.

Proceedings have been adjourned as the court continues to hear evidence in what observers describe as one of the most closely watched entertainment-related financial trials in recent years.