Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, on Thursday, granted bail to the former manager of the defunct hip-hop music group P-Square, Jude Okoye, and his company, Northside Music Limited.
Jude, alongside his company, is standing trial over fresh allegations of theft amounting to $1,019,763.87 and £34,537.59.
Justice Oshodi granted the first defendant bail in the sum of N50 million, with two sureties in like sum.
Jude Okoye and his company, Northside Music Limited, were arraigned before the court on March 4, 2025, on four counts bordering on the alleged theft and conversion of $1m and £34,000 in royalties from digital music distribution and publishing.
During the arraignment, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s prosecution counsel, Mohammed Bashir, told the court that Jude Okoye and Northside Music Limited had allegedly stolen $1,019,763.87 and £34,537.59.
Bashir stated that the defendant committed the alleged offences between 2016 and 2023.
According to the EFCC, the offences contravene sections 278 and 285 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011.
However, the defence counsel, Clement Onwuenwunor (SAN), informed the court that the defence had filed a bail application dated 27 February 2025.
Justice Oshodi stated: “The defendant shall submit his two passports — Nigerian and St. Kitts and Nevis — to the Registrar of this court, and the EFCC shall notify the immigration authorities to withhold the passports pending the determination of this case.”
Earlier, the defence counsel, Mr Clement Onwuenwunor (SAN), moved the bail application on behalf of the first defendant.
