Will ex-manager of P-Square Jude Okoye leave Ikoyi prison today?
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Jude was sent to the Ikoyi prison after he was arraigned alongside his company, Northside Music Ltd, on a seven-count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of N1.38billion, $1million and £34,537.59.
Michael Adesina
Jude Okoye Chigozie, the older brother and former manager of the defunct P-Square music group, is set to learn his fate today regarding his bail application.
This comes after he was remanded in the Ikoyi Correction Centre on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, by Justice A.O. Owoeye of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos.
Jude was sent to the Ikoyi prison after he was arraigned alongside his company, Northside Music Ltd, on a seven-count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of N1.38billion, $1million and £34,537.59.
One of the charges reads: “That you, Jude Okoye Chigozie and Northside Music Ltd sometimes in 2022, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did directly acquire a landed property known as No 5, Tony Eromosele Street, Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos worth N850,000,000.00 (Eight hundred and fifty million naira) only, which money you knew or reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful act and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 (2) (d) and punishable under Section 18 (3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
Another charge reads: “That you, Jude Okoye Chigozie and Northside Music Ltd sometimes in 2022, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did indirectly using bureau de change, converted the sum of $1,019,762.87 (One million nineteen thousand, seven hundred and six-two dollars eighty seven cents), domiciled in Access Bank Plc operated by Northside Music Ltd to the naira equivalent and remitted into various bank accounts with intention of concealing that the said fund formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 (2)(a) and punishable under Section 18 (3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
During Wednesday’s proceeding, Jude Okoye pleaded “not guilty” to the charges. His lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, filed a bail application, while the prosecution counsel, L.P. Aso, requested a trial date and Okoye’s remand in a correctional facility.
Justice Owoeye adjourned the matter till today, February 28, 2025, for the hearing of the bail application and April 14, 2025 for trial.
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