Popular Nigerian singer, Peter Okoye has told the Federal High Court in Lagos that he received more than $800,000 in royalties from French music rights organisation, SACEM, without paying any portion of the proceeds to his elder brother and former manager, Jude Okoye.

Peter made the disclosure on Monday during cross-examination in a virtual proceeding before Justice Alexander Owoeye at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi.

He was questioned by counsel to Jude, Clement Onwuenor, SAN, in a case involving a seven-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against Jude and his company, Northside Music Limited.

The defendants are accused of offences involving about N1.3 billion and $1 million. Jude and the company have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

During the proceedings, Onwuenor challenged Peter’s earlier claim that Jude took more than three months to provide him with P-Square’s backend royalty records in 2022.

Counsel told the court that Peter requested the documents on October 16, 2022, and that Jude supplied them six days later, on October 22.

Peter, however, maintained that he had made the request earlier in the year. When asked to produce a text message, email or other document supporting his claim, he said he could not provide one and could not remember the exact details.

He nevertheless confirmed receiving the royalty statement, which contained records of earnings between 2016 and 2022, including payments connected to Lex Records.

The singer explained that the documents were sought because some investors were considering purchasing the P-Square music catalogue.

Peter also confirmed that Jude sent him the account information in 2022 and that the EFCC was aware that the documents had been forwarded.

He further confirmed that the 10 songs for which SACEM paid royalties were P-Square tracks.

When confronted with records showing that he received about $800,000 from SACEM between 2016 and 2026, Peter acknowledged the payments but said Jude received no share of the money.

Asked whether he informed Jude about the payments, Peter replied that he did not, maintaining that the money belonged to the artists.

SACEM, the Société des Auteurs, Compositeurs et Éditeurs de Musique, is a French organisation responsible for collecting and distributing royalties on behalf of songwriters, composers and music publishers.

Peter also disputed Jude’s claim to a share of the SACEM royalties, arguing that the payments were due to him and his twin brother, Paul Okoye.

When counsel pointed out that the SACEM agreement was signed by Jude rather than Peter or Paul, the singer maintained that the agreement was entered into on behalf of the team, but insisted that Jude was not a member of P-Square.

He also told the court that he had no employment agreement with Jude, saying their business relationship operated through Northside Entertainment Limited.

Peter acknowledged that he had previously given Jude 25 per cent of his SACEM earnings but denied that Jude requested quarterly payments following their reconciliation in 2022.

Asked directly whether Jude was a member of P-Square, Peter said he was not.

The singer further stated that he and Paul wrote, composed and produced all P-Square songs, while acknowledging that Jude directed some of the duo’s music videos.

The case was adjourned until December 8 and 9, 2026, for continuation of the hearing.