The long-standing rift between former P-Square members, Paul and Peter Okoye, has escalated once again, this time revolving around the legal troubles of their elder brother, Jude Okoye.
The feud, which has spanned years since their group disbanded, has now taken on a legal dimension, with Paul directly blaming his twin for Jude’s ongoing predicament. Speaking to reporters outside the courthouse following Jude’s bail hearing, Paul, also known as Rudeboy, did not hold back his frustration.
He accused Peter of being the root cause of their brother’s legal woes, claiming that the media was distorting the facts and painting an unfair picture of Jude. “The truth is reports are making it look like Jude is a fraud,” Paul said with visible anger.
“But let’s call a spade a spade. Peter is the one putting Jude through this. Peter is doing this and putting him in prison; I’m here to bring him out.”
Paul further insisted that, regardless of their fractured relationship, Peter was still his twin brother, and nothing could change that. However, he argued that the ongoing legal battle implicated all three of them in a way that the public had failed to understand. “I don’t deny that Peter is my brother,” he continued.
“That has nothing to do with it. If they say Jude is guilty of these crimes, then Peter is guilty, and Paul is guilty.” His words fueled further speculation about the depth of their conflict, with many now wondering whether their sibling rivalry had finally reached a point of no return.
Paul’s remarks came in response to growing media coverage suggesting that Jude had engaged in financial misdeeds. He insisted that while the allegations were serious, the real issue was the family betrayal that had led to Jude’s arrest in the first place.
Jude Okoye, who previously served as P-Square’s manager, is currently facing seven counts of financial misconduct, including accusations of laundering ₦1.38 billion, $1 million, and £34,537.59. He has, however, pleaded not guilty to all charges, maintaining that he has done nothing wrong.
The case has drawn significant public attention, given the Okoye family’s high-profile status in the entertainment industry. Jude, once considered the backbone of P-Square’s business operations, now finds himself entangled in a legal battle that could potentially alter his life forever.
The implications of the case go beyond him alone, as it has further deepened the divide between his two younger brothers.
At Friday’s bail hearing, the prosecution strongly opposed granting Jude bail, arguing that he posed a flight risk and could potentially evade justice. They insisted that the severity of the allegations warranted his continued detention.
However, Jude’s defense lawyer, Effiong, countered that his client had fully cooperated with authorities and had no intention of fleeing. In a surprising turn of events, Paul Okoye offered himself as a surety, assuring the court that he would take full responsibility for his brother’s compliance with legal proceedings.
“I am standing here today because I know my brother is not a criminal,” Paul declared confidently. “If it takes me putting my name and everything I own on the line, then so be it.”
Justice Owoeye, after hearing arguments from both sides, ruled that Paul must submit his legal documents as surety before a final decision could be made on bail. The court then scheduled the bail ruling for March 3, with the trial set to commence on April 14.
Until then, Jude was ordered to remain in police custody. As the proceedings ended, Paul was seen leaving the courtroom with a tense expression, ignoring reporters’ questions.
With the trial date looming and tensions between the Okoye brothers higher than ever, fans and industry insiders are left wondering whether this latest scandal will mark the final chapter of their once-glorious family empire—or if there’s still hope for reconciliation.
