Jude Okoye’s Former Lawyer Accuses Peter of Trying to Influence Public Opinion Amid Ongoing Court Case

Former legal counsel to music executive Jude Okoye, Inibehe Effiong, has criticised singer Peter Okoye of the former P-Square duo, accusing him of attempting to sway public opinion while legal proceedings involving the family are still before the courts.

Effiong made the remarks in a statement shared on his official X account, responding to Peter Okoye’s recent series of online videos and allegations concerning the management of P-Square’s business affairs and finances.

The lawyer disclosed that his law firm initially represented Jude Okoye after the legal dispute began, explaining that they handled the early stages of his defence before another legal team led by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria took over the case.

“Our firm started the legal defence of Jude Okoye. We filed applications for his bail both at the Federal High Court and at the High Court of Lagos State. A Senior Advocate of Nigeria later took over the case and continued from where I stopped.”

Effiong stressed that Jude Okoye has not been convicted of any criminal offence and is therefore entitled to the constitutional presumption of innocence.

“Jude hasn’t been convicted of any crime by any court of law. We should afford him his constitutional right to the presumption of innocence.”

He also defended the bail conditions imposed on Jude, noting that requirements such as surrendering travel documents should not be interpreted as proof of guilt.

The lawyer questioned Peter’s decision to continue discussing the matter publicly while the cases remain before competent courts.

“It is baffling that Peter, who is the nominal complainant in the two cases, has resorted to social media trial while the cases are pending before courts of competent jurisdiction.”

Effiong further alleged that Peter’s public comments differ from statements he has made while testifying under cross-examination.

“What Peter is saying online differs from the verifiable admissions he has been making under cross-examination in court. He knows exactly what he is doing.”

He urged the singer to allow the judicial process to run its course by presenting his evidence in court rather than on social media.

“He should focus his energy on testifying in court to support the charges against Jude, instead of resorting to media trial. The cases are in court; we should let the court decide the guilt or innocence of the defendant.”

The legal dispute between the Okoye brothers remains ongoing, with both sides continuing to publicly defend their positions while the courts consider the matters before them.

Opinion

The latest exchange highlights how high-profile legal disputes can easily spill into the court of public opinion. While social media gives public figures a platform to share their perspectives, ongoing court cases are ultimately decided by evidence presented before a judge—not by public sentiment.

Effiong’s remarks represent the perspective of Jude Okoye’s former legal counsel and should be viewed in that context. Likewise, Peter Okoye has publicly maintained his own account of the dispute. At this stage, both sides have made competing claims, many of which remain contested.

For the millions of fans who admired P-Square's remarkable journey, the public fallout has been disappointing. However, with legal proceedings still underway, the most appropriate course is to allow the courts to examine the evidence and determine the issues in accordance with the law, rather than reaching conclusions based solely on statements made online.