The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has denied having any evidence to support Peter Okoye’s claims that his brothers, Jude and Paul Okoye, withdrew and shared more than $800,000 belonging to the family’s music enterprise.
At the continuation of the trial at Ikeja High Court on Friday, EFCC counsel M.K. Bashir told the court, “We do not have it. It is his evidence.
Let him prove it. I can’t give what I don’t have,” in response to defence counsel Clement Onwuenwunor’s request for documentation of the alleged withdrawals.
Peter had testified that he discovered information indicating that “more than $800,000 was withdrawn and distributed” between March 2023 and October 2024, but later adjusted the period to between 2013 and 2014 during cross-examination.
The defence also sought evidence for Peter’s claim that Jude operated 47 bank accounts. Bashir stated, “I do not have 47 bank accounts. It is one of the witness’s claims, but I do not have such a copy.”
Justice Rahman Oshodi rejected an oral application from the defence seeking to compel Peter to produce the accounts, noting that the documents “are neither before the court nor part of the admitted evidence” and should be requested through a formal application.
Peter further claimed he only discovered the existence of another company, Northside Music Ltd, in 2024 after singer Cynthia Morgan sent him a contract on Northside Entertainment letterhead.
He said albums were credited to Northside Inc even though the contract referenced Northside Music.
The case began after Peter petitioned the EFCC in January 2024, accusing Jude of diverting royalties, operating undeclared accounts, and using company funds to purchase an N850 million property in Ikoyi.
EFCC later arraigned Jude and Northside Music Ltd on charges related to alleged mismanagement of over $1 million, £34,537.59, and suspected money laundering through a bureau de change.
Earlier in the year, defence lawyers presented CAC documents showing Jude owned 80% of Northside Music while his wife held 20%, contradicting Peter’s claims.
Bank mandates listing Peter and Paul as Category B signatories also challenged his assertion that he was excluded from account access.
The trial is scheduled to continue on December 12.
