The Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, has adjourned the trial of Jude Okoye, the former manager and elder brother of the defunct music group P-Square, following the absence of his younger brother and key prosecution witness, Peter Okoye (popularly known as Mr. P).

The legal proceedings were stalled when Peter failed to appear in court for his scheduled cross-examination by the defense team.

Jude Okoye and his company, Northside Music Limited, are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a seven-count charge bordering on money laundering, theft, and criminal conversion involving ₦1.38 billion and $1 million. The criminal trial stems from a petition submitted to the anti-graft agency by Peter, who accused his older brother of dishonestly diverting and concealing digital music royalties meant for the music group by routeing them into a company secretly owned by Jude and his wife. Jude Okoye has pleaded not guilty to all counts.

At the resumed hearing, EFCC prosecuting counsel, G.C. Akaogu, informed the court that the witness was absent because his flight from Abuja to Lagos had been rescheduled at the last minute. The prosecutor subsequently applied for a short adjournment to allow the witness to attend the next date.

However, defense counsel Chief Clement Onwuewunor (SAN) strongly contested the prosecution’s excuse.

The defense team argued that reliable information indicated Peter was already physically present in Lagos and had not traveled from Abuja as claimed, characterizing the flight excuse as a deliberate attempt to mislead the court and delay the trial. Despite the friction between the legal teams, the court granted the application for an adjournment to enable the nominal complainant to appear for cross-examination on a future date.