The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) don carry Jude Okoye, wey be senior brother and former manager of Paul and Peter Okoye from the defunct music group, P-Square, go court because of money laundering matter wey reach ₦1.38 billion, $1 million and £34,537.59.
Dem carry Jude go court alongside im company, Northside Music Ltd, for Justice Alexander Owoeye front for Federal High Court, Lagos, put seven-count charge for im head.
One of the charges talk say: “You, Jude Okoye Chigozie and Northside Music Ltd, for sometime inside 2022, for Lagos, inside this Honourable Court jurisdiction, buy one landed property wey dem call No 5, Tony Eromosele Street, Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos, wey worth ₦850,000,000.00 (Eight hundred and fifty million naira), and you sabi or suppose sabi say the money wey you take buy am na from unlawful act. This one na offence wey dey against Section 18 (2)(d) and e carry punishment under Section 18 (3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
Another charge talk say: “You, Jude Okoye Chigozie and Northside Music Ltd, for sometime inside 2022, for Lagos, use bureau de change take change $1,019,762.87 (One million, nineteen thousand, seven hundred and sixty-two dollars, eighty-seven cents) wey dey for Access Bank account wey Northside Music Ltd operate, convert am to naira and transfer am enter different bank accounts, with the intention to hide say the money na from unlawful act. This one na offence wey dey against Section 18 (2)(a) and e carry punishment under Section 18 (3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
Jude talk say e no dey guilty for all the charges.
As e talk say e no dey guilty, EFCC lawyer, Larry Peters Aso, beg make dem fix date for hearing and make dem put Jude for correctional facility till trial start.
Jude lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, tell court say dem don already file bail application, make dem give dem quick date to hear am. E still beg make dem put Jude for EFCC custody till dem hear the application.
But EFCC lawyer no gree, e talk say EFCC cell don full with people wey dem dey wait to arraign, say make court put Jude for correctional facility since e don talk im plea.
Justice Owoeye come adjourn the case go February 28 for bail hearing and April 14 for trial.
E still order make dem carry Jude go Ikoyi correctional facility till then.
