In a high-stakes legal battle, the Ikeja Special Offences Court on Thursday granted N50 million bail to Jude Okoye, the former manager of the legendary Nigerian music duo, P-Square. Okoye, who stands accused of stealing $1 million and £34,537, is currently facing a four-count charge of theft alongside his company, Northside Music Ltd.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) brought the charges against Okoye, but in a dramatic turn, he pleaded not guilty to all allegations. His legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Clement Onwuenwunor, swiftly moved for bail, setting the stage for a heated courtroom decision.
Presiding over the case, Justice Rahman Oshodi carefully weighed the arguments before delivering his ruling.
“The singular issue for determination is whether or not the court should exercise its discretion in favour of the first defendant by granting him bail,” the judge declared. Citing Section 115 (2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL), Oshodi affirmed that the charges against Okoye were not punishable by death, making him eligible for bail.
With this, the court ruled in favor of the defendant, setting strict conditions for his release:
Bail set at N50 million, with two sureties of equal amount
Sureties must be gainfully employed and provide proof of three years’ tax payments to the Lagos State Government
Okoye must surrender his dual citizenship documents to the court’s chief registrar
The EFCC must notify the Nigerian Immigration Service to seize Okoye’s international passport until the case is resolved
As the legal battle unfolds, Okoye’s fate now hangs in the balance. The trial is set to begin on May 16, marking the next chapter in a case that has captured national attention.
Will the former P-Square manager clear his name, or will this scandal leave an irreversible mark on his legacy? The coming months promise to reveal all.
