‘Family That Breaks You Isn’t Worth It’

NIGERIAN musician Peter Okoye, known by his stage name as Mr. P, of the defunct P-Square, has criticised his family, following his testimony against elder brother, Jude Okoye, who is facing money laundering charges.
Jude and his company, Northside Music Limited, are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a seven-count charge of laundering N1.38billion, $1million and £34,537.59, proceeds and from the earnings of the musical group.
Peter, in an Instagram post on Tuesday, April 15, after testifying against Jude on Monday, April 14, before Justice Alexander Owoeye at the Federal High Court in Lagos, disowned his family, saying he would always place his mental health above all else.
He stated: “Don’t let ‘family’ be the reason you’re drowning in silence. I did, for over 20 years plus. And it almost cost me everything.
“But now I know better, love doesn’t manipulate, loyalty doesn’t betray and family does not steal from you. 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.”
The 43-year-old had told the court on Monday that in late 2022, he allegedly discovered that Jude created a company, named Northside Music Limited, similar to Northside Entertainment Limited that Jude used in managing P-Square back in the day.
He accused Jude of using the company to launder money belonging to P-Square in collusion with his twin brother, Paul, also known as Rudeboy.