EFCC Arraigns Jude Okoye for Alleged Money Laundering

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has charged Jude Okoye, the elder brother and former manager of Paul and Peter Okoye of the disbanded music group P-Square, with laundering ₦1.38 billion, $1 million, and £34,537.59.

Jude and his company, Northside Music Ltd, were arraigned before Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court in Lagos on a seven-count charge.

Jude pleaded not guilty to all charges. The prosecution counsel, Larry Peters Aso, requested a trial date and asked that Jude be remanded in a correctional facility pending trial.

Jude’s lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, informed the court of a pending bail application and requested a short date for the hearing. He also asked that Jude be held in EFCC custody until the bail hearing.

However, the prosecution opposed this, stating that EFCC custody is overcrowded with suspects awaiting arraignment. They urged the court to remand Jude in a correctional facility since he had already taken his plea.

Justice Owoeye adjourned the case to February 28 for the bail hearing and April 14 for trial. He ordered that Jude be remanded in the Ikoyi Correctional Facility until the next hearing.