Nigerian music star Peter Okoye, one half of the legendary P-Square duo, has opened up about enduring over two decades of betrayal, manipulation, and silence within his family, while revealing that he is now prioritising his mental health.
In a post shared on his Instagram story on Tuesday, Peter said “love doesn’t manipulate.”
“Don’t let ‘family’ be the reason you’re drowning in silence. I did – for over 20 years and it almost cost me everything. But now I know better – love doesn’t manipulate, loyalty doesn’t betray, and family doesn’t steal from you,” he wrote
He further condemned any form of toxic family relationship, saying, “Family that steals and breaks you isn’t family at all. Real family doesn’t drain you, shame you, discriminate against you, or ignore your pain. My sanity matters. My mental health is a priority. If it costs my mental health, then it’s too expensive.”
Peter’s post came in the wake of a high-profile legal battle before the Federal High Court in Lagos, where his older brother and former manager, Jude Okoye, is standing trial over allegations of money laundering and the diversion of royalties belonging to P-Square.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Jude on a seven-count charge bordering on money laundering involving sums of N1.38bn, $1m, and £34,537.59, alongside his company, Northside Music Limited.
Testifying as the first prosecution witness on Monday, Peter narrated how Jude allegedly incorporated a new company, Northside Music Ltd, bearing a similar name to their original Northside Entertainment Ltd, without informing him or his twin brother, Paul Okoye.
According to him, the company was secretly registered in Jude’s wife’s name and used to divert the group’s royalties.
“I found out Jude had incorporated another company, Northside Music Ltd, similar to our original Northside Entertainment Ltd, and he was using it to collect our royalties. He and his wife are the only directors. She owns 80 per cent and he owns 20 per cent,” Peter told the court.
He explained that suspicions about financial irregularities surfaced after P-Square’s split in 2017, which prompted him to engage his lawyer, identified as Afolabi, who then petitioned the EFCC.
The case has been adjourned to June 4, 2025, for cross-examination.
The longstanding feud within the Okoye family began in 2015. It escalated to a public split in 2017. Though P-Square reunited in 2021, and released new music and performed together, tensions resurfaced in 2024.
In August, Paul, a.k.a. Rudeboy, in an interview with City FM, confirmed another fallout, and accused Peter of petitioning both him and Jude to the EFCC.
Peter, however, denied involving Paul in the petition, insisting his grievances were solely against Jude and his wife, Ifeoma, for alleged betrayal and financial misconduct.
The controversy deepened when Paul publicly defended Jude, and claimed that Peter masterminded the legal troubles.
In February, Paul said, “The truth is, Peter is the one putting Jude through these things. It’s Peter who is doing these. I’m only standing for the truth because the same crime that they accused him of doing, then Peter is guilty, Paul is also guilty too.”
