Due to the absence of Peter Okoye, also known as Mr. P, the trial of Jude Okoye, the former manager of the now-defunct music group P-Square, was halted on Wednesday before a Federal High Court in Lagos.
At the resumed hearing, the defense team planned to cross-examine Peter, the nominal complainant in the case.
Justice Alexander Owoeye is trying Jude Okoye and his business, Northside Music Limited, for alleged fraud of ₦1.3 billion and $1 million.
Members of the Okoye family, whose former band P-Square was one of Nigeria’s most popular entertainment brands before to its dissolution, are involved in the trial.
According to Naija News, Jude and the business were charged with seven counts related to the alleged fraud by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
However, the defendants entered a not guilty plea to the charges and refuted the accusations.
G. Akaogu, the prosecution’s attorney, told the court during the resumed hearing that Peter’s trip from Abuja to Lagos had been rescheduled, therefore he was unable to attend the proceedings.
Akaogu informed the court that the witness had been in touch with him to explain his inability to show up for cross-examination.
“The witness informed me over the phone that he was unable to attend court because his trip from Abuja had been rescheduled. The prosecutor stated, “I also told the learned Silk about this development this morning.”
The prosecutor then asked the court for a new date so that the witness could attend for cross-examination.
Clement Onwuewunor, SAN, the defendant’s attorney, acknowledged that he was notified of the witness’s absence but disapproved of the prosecution’s justification.
Onwuewunor informed the court that he had another case in Akure, Ondo State, which he might have attended, and that he had received the information while he was already near the court’s premises.
He claims that as of Wednesday night, an immaculate source told him that Peter had already arrived in Lagos.
“While I was at Falomo, near the court, the prosecutor told me about the development. I was upset because I should have been in Akure for something,” the defense attorney stated.
Onwuewunor continued, “I was just informed that the witness did not travel; he is in Lagos, and I do not know why the prosecutor claimed his flight was rescheduled.”
Following the parties’ presentations, Justice Owoeye postponed the case until September 21, 2026, for a new hearing.
Due to the adjournment, Peter’s cross-examination by the defense will resume at a later time, contingent on his availability.
