The Federal High Court in Lagos, on Monday, granted Jude Okoye, the former manager of the now-defunct music group P-Square, bail in the amount of N100 million.

Justice Alexander Owoeye approved the bail, stipulating two sureties, each with a similar amount in value. The court also placed a travel restriction on Okoye, prohibiting him from leaving the country.

One of the sureties, the judge ruled, must be the owner of a landed property, among other requirements.

Okoye, the elder sibling of Peter and Paul Okoye of P-Square, was arraigned last Wednesday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on charges of money laundering. The charges involve ₦1.38 billion, $1 million, and £34,537.59.

The EFCC also charged Okoye and his company, Northside Music Limited, with acquiring a property in 2022 at 5 Tony Eromosele Street, Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos. The property, worth ₦850 million, was allegedly purchased using funds that Okoye knew, or should have known, were proceeds of criminal activities.

The National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP) has conferred the
esteemed Fellow of Theatre Profession award upon Dr. Shaibu Husseini, Executive
Director/CEO of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB). NANTAP says the
award of Fellow of Theatre Arts (fta) was awarded to theatre practitioner, film journalist, culture
advocate and administrator in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the growth and
development of theatre practice in Nigeria.

The award ceremony took place on Sunday, February 22, at the Glover Hall, Lagos, and was
attended by distinguished personalities in the Nigerian culture, theatre and film industries
including the General Manager of National Theatre Tola Akerele, Culture activist and
programme chairman of Coalition For Relevant Arts (CORA) Jahman Anikulapo, Chairman of
the Body of Fellows of NANTAP Prof Duro Oni, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of
NANTAP and Chairman of Audio-Visual Rights Society of Nigeria (AVRS), Mahmood Ali-Balogun,  Veteran actor
Norbert Young and the veteran actress Joke Silva Jacobs who was also honoured at the event.
NANTAP had noted in the citation read before the NFVCB ED was decorated that Dr. Shaibu
has made significant strides in promoting Nigerian dance, theatre and film, both locally and
internationally. NANTAP also acknowledged that Dr. Shaibu’s recent appointment as ED/CEO
of NFVCB has been instrumental in shaping the country's film industry.

The NFVCB boss thanked NANTAP for the prestigious honour and recognition which he
described as not just a personal recognition, but also a testament to the hard work, dedication and
passion of every individual who has contributed to the growth and development of theatre
practice in Nigeria, ‘’I am grateful, honoured and proud to be part of a community that has
consistently pushed the boundaries of creativity, innovation and excellence. Since the reward for
hard work is more work, I commit to continue working tirelessly to promote and advance the
cause of theatre and film arts in Nigeria’’ the ED said.

The Fellow of Theatre Profession award is the highest honor bestowed by NANTAP, recognizing
individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, creativity, and commitment to the
advancement of theatre arts in Nigeria. Those who were inducted into the body of fellows of
NANTAP alongside the NFVCB ED include Joke Silva Jacobs, Sam Uche- Anyamele and
Bolanle Austen-Peters.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Jude Okoye, the elder brother and former manager of Paul and Peter Okoye of the defunct music group, P-Square, on charges of laundering ₦1.38billion, $ 1 million and £34,537.59.

Jude was arraigned alongside his company, Northside Music Ltd, before Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court, Lagos, on a seven-count charge

One of the counts read: “That you, Jude Okoye Chigozie and Northside Music Ltd sometime in 2022, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did directly acquire a landed property known as No 5, Tony Eromosele Street Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos worth ₦850,000,000.00 (Eight hundred and fifty million naira) only, which money you knew or reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful act and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 (2) (d) and punishable under Section 18 (3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”

Another count read: “That you, Jude Okoye Chigozie and Northside Music Ltd sometime in 2022, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did indirectly using bureau de change convert the sum of $1,019,762.87 (One million nineteen thousand, seven hundred and six-two dollars eighty-seven cents), domiciled in Access Bank Plc operated by Northside Music Lid to the naira equivalent and remitted into various bank accounts with the intention of concealing that the said fund form part of the proceeds of an unlawful act and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 (2)(a) and punishable under Section 18 (3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”

He pleaded “not guilty” to the charges.

In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, Larry Peters Aso, applied for a date for hearing as well as for the remand of the defendant in the correctional facility pending trial.

The defendant’s counsel, Inibehe Effiong, informed the court of a pending bail application. He asked for a short date for the hearing. Effiong also asked that the defendant be remanded in the EFCC’s custody pending the hearing of the application.

Aso objected to the request for the defendant to be remanded in the EFCC custody. He argued that the EFCC custody was already congested with suspects awaiting arraignment. He urged the court to remand the defendant to the correctional facility since he had taken his plea.

Justice Owoeye adjourned the matter till February 28 for bail hearing and April 14 for trial.

He also ordered that the defendant be remanded in the Ikoyi correctional facility.