The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Paul’s brother and former manager and the late music group P-Square, before the Supreme Court of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos.
He was arraigned on Wednesday, February 26 with his company Northside Music Ltd, allegedly allegedly laundering of 1.38 billion guilds, $1 million and £34,537.59.
One of them is:
“You, Jude Okoye Chigozie and Northside Ltd, have, at some point in 2022, within the jurisdiction of this glorious court, have received a crime in Lagos for violations of Section 18(2)(d) in Lagos, under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Injunction) Act 2022.”
Another count is:
“You, Jude Okoye Chigozie and Northside Ltd. Sometime in 2022, within the jurisdiction of this glorious court, in Lagos, the change bureau was indeed used, converting it into a sum of $1,019,762.87. The fund constitutes part of the proceeds of the illegal bill, thus constituting a violation of Section 18(2)(a) and convicted under Section 18(2)(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act.”
He “pleads not guilty” to the charges.
In view of his plea, prosecutor attorney Larry Peters Aso applied for a hearing date, as well as the defendant’s repayment in a correctional trial. However, Jude Okoye’s attorney Inibehe Effiong informed the court of a bail application and demanded a short-term goal to achieve his hearing. He also requested that the defendant be remanded in EFCC custody before applying for a hearing.
Prosecutors objected to remand in Jude Okoye in EFCC custody. He argued that EFCC custody was already full of suspects awaiting arraignment. He urged the court to return the defendant to the correctional facility since he pleaded guilty.
Then Justice Owoeye adjourned the matter until February 28, 2025, held a bail hearing, and held a trial on April 14, 2025, and ordered Jude to be remanded in the Ikoyi Correctional Institution facility.
