Lifestyle
EFCC Arraigns Jude Okoye On Fresh Theft Charges
By Benjamin Abioye
Jude Okoye has been arraigned by the EFCC on fresh charges of stealing over $1 million, with the court ordering his remand pending trial.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Lagos has arraigned Jude Chigozie Okoye on fresh charges of stealing.
He appeared before Justice Rahman Oshodi at the Special Offences Court in Ikeja on Tuesday, March 4, 2025. The charges against him involve the alleged theft of $1,019,762.87 and £34,537.59.
Okoye, who was arraigned alongside his company, Northside Music Ltd, is also facing separate charges in another court. He has an ongoing case before Justice A.O. Owoeye at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos.
The EFCC claims that between 2016 and 2023, Okoye misappropriated funds meant for music royalties. According to one of the charges, “Jude Chigozie Okoye and Northside Music Ltd, sometime between 2016 and 2023 in Lagos, dishonestly converted $767,544.15 paid by Lex Records Limited as digital distribution/publishing royalties, with intent to permanently deprive Peter Obunmuneme Okoye of his special interest in the property.”
Another charge states, “Jude Chigozie Okoye and Northside Music Ltd, between 2016 and 2023 in Lagos, dishonestly converted £34,537.59 paid by Lex Records Limited as music royalties, intending to permanently deprive Peter Obunmuneme Okoye of his special interest in the property.”
He is also accused of diverting $133,566.49 paid by Kobalt Music Services Limited and $118,652.23 paid by Mtech Limited, both as royalties.
During the court proceedings, Okoye pleaded “not guilty” to the charges. The prosecution counsel, M.K. Bashir, requested a trial date and asked the court to remand him in a correctional center.
His defense counsel, Clement Onwenwnor (SAN), informed the court that they had filed a bail application and requested a short adjournment for its hearing. He also asked that Okoye remain in EFCC custody until the bail application is heard, stating, “He was just arraigned before Justice Owoeye of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, on a similar matter and was granted bail on March 3, 2025.”
Bashir opposed the request, arguing that since the defendant had already taken his plea, he should be sent to a correctional facility.
Justice Oshodi scheduled March 6, 2025, for the bail hearing and set May 16 and 23, 2025, for trial. In the meantime, he ordered that Okoye be remanded at Ikoyi Correctional Centre.
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