‘Peter behind Jude’s detention’- Rudeboy alleges as court adjourns trial

On Friday, Nigerian singer Paul ‘Rudeboy’ Okoye alleged that his twin brother, Peter, Mr P, was the mastermind behind their elder brother and former supervisor, Jude’s predicament.

PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal Excessive Court docket ordered Jude’s remand after EFCC arraigned him and his firm, Northside Music Ltd.

On Wednesday, the anti-graft company arraigned him over the alleged diversion of N1.3 billion belonging to the now-defunct music group P-Sq..

This newspaper additionally reported that the brothers have a longstanding dispute centred on royalties, monetary misconduct, and the alleged embezzlement of P-Sq.’s funds.

Rudeboy alleged that Mr P filed a petition with the EFCC, accusing him and Jude of monetary mismanagement, and additional introduced that the group now not existed.

Nonetheless, talking to journalists outdoors the courtroom throughout Jude’s bail utility listening to on cash laundering expenses, Rudeboy insisted that Mr P was unfairly concentrating on Jude.

He vowed to face by Jude till justice was served, emphasising that he and Mr P have been equally responsible of the identical allegations towards their elder brother.

The ‘Fireplace Fireplace’ crooner stated: “I’m right here to help Jude as a result of I do know the reality. Sadly, journalists are making it look like he’s a fraudster and all kinds of issues. Let’s name a spade a spade—Peter (Mr. P) is the one answerable for Jude being in jail.

“You journalists ought to cease writing deceptive tales as a result of the actual fact is obvious: Peter is the one behind this, and he’s the explanation Jude is in jail. I’m right here to get him out. I by no means denied that Peter shouldn’t be my brother. I’m solely standing for the reality, and let me inform you one thing—the identical crime Jude is being accused of, Peter and Paul are responsible of as effectively.”

Bail

Throughout Friday’s sitting, Inibehe Effiong, counsel for Jude, who’s going through a seven-count cost, filed a bail utility.

Nonetheless, the prosecution counsel, Larry Aso, objected to the bail request.

He submitted an affidavit that described Jude as a flight threat who would possibly impede witnesses.

In defence, Mr Inibehe argued that his shopper had totally cooperated with the investigation, attended all summonses for the reason that case commenced, and didn’t represent a flight threat.

He additional knowledgeable the courtroom that Rudeboy was current to bail his elder brother.

Upon Mr Inibehe’s identification of Rudeboy, the decide instructed the singer to submit his paperwork by his lawyer.

Justice Owoeye dominated that the bail utility could be heard on 3 March and scheduled Okoye’s trial for 14 April.

Background

On 1 August 2024, this newspaper reported that Rudeboy introduced the dissolution of P-Sq., a music group that dominated the African music trade for many years.

This determination got here greater than two years after their much-anticipated reunion.

The dual brothers, who started their musical careers in 1999 and reigned over the African music scene for over a decade, first parted methods in 2017.

After a four-year rift marked by public controversies and strained relationships with colleagues and followers, they reconciled in 2021.

Throughout their separation Rudeboy launched hits like Fireplace Fireplace and Nkenji Keke, whereas Mr P dropped tracks comparable to For My Head and Cool It Down.

Their reunion in November 2021 reignited followers’ pleasure, culminating in a efficiency of their basic hits on the Sierra Leone Nationwide Stadium in Freetown.

Nonetheless, since their newest break up, allegations of track theft, mismanagement of royalties, and fund diversion have continued to floor.