Veteran Afrobeats star, D’banj has pleaded with the federal government to intervene in the crisis involving the Nigerian iconic duo, P-Square, Peter and Paul Okoye, and their former manager and elder brother, Jude Okoye.
The breakup of the group took another dimension after Peter sued Jude and his company, Northside Entertainment for allegedly defrauding him.
His twin brother Paul also got involved in the alleged $1 million fraud scandal after he publicly defended Jude, and claimed that Peter was out to tarnish the Northside boss’ reputation.
The case, which is still in court, has continued to generate reactions from Nigerians.
Reacting during a recent interview with Adesope Live, D’banj pleaded with the three brothers to reconcile their differences. He also urged the federal government to intervene.
He said, “The saga between Peter and Jude is a very sad one. When you want to fight, you only know the beginning, you really do not know the end even if you are right or wrong.
“For the legacy that God has built through them, is why I feel that there can be a proper intervention. I know that they have tried because I flew with Peter recently and we spoke. He shared one or two things with me and all I could tell him is, I’m so sure that there is still a chance [of reconciliation]. It’s all about dialogue.
“If it’s even money issue, there’s no better time because you guys own your catalogue. Some global music executives have been trying to buy my catalogue for over a decade but I kept because I know how big it can get when it is my time for it.
“Same with P-Square’s catalogue. It’s enormous so they can always agree. They don’t have to be a group anymore but they can agree to reserve their issues. If it is money problem, let us have the agreement…
“I would like to beg anyone that is a mentor to them because this is beyond us, their colleagues. I think it has to be someone that they would respect, if possible, the nation [federal government]. I know that there are cases here and there but they can still be resolved.
“I remember one time when there was a bank that closed up in Nigeria and it had Jay Jay Okocha’s money. I was a young boy then but I still remember the story. They shut down with all the money Jay Jay worked for and he cried out.
“The then President [Olusegun] Obasanjo he intervened and said, ‘I know you guys has a structure to sort people out, but this boy who has made us proud, get him his money.’
“I don’t know how that turned out. But I believe something like that can happen in this case where if it is a money or an agreement thing, the relevant institutions whether it is the Bank of Industry can come and just help structure that for them.”
