By Ghazali Ibrahim
Henry Okoye, elder brother of former P-Square members Peter and Paul Okoye, has revealed that their late mother, Josephine Okoye, opposed Jude Okoye’s decision to manage the music duo.
Henry made the disclosure during an interview with social commentator Jos Connection at the Okoye family residence in Plateau State on Friday.
He said he was the one who initially supported Peter and Paul financially when they began their music career and struggled to secure sponsors.
According to him, Jude was not involved during the early stages of the duo’s career.
“When they started music, they were looking for sponsors. They didn’t see any. When I started sponsoring them, Jude was not there,” Henry said.
He recalled that he helped the brothers secure performances, including one involving Benson & Hedges, and travelled with them to different states to promote their music.
Henry said the family initially treated the venture as a collective effort while recognising Peter and Paul as the owners of the music project.
“We just took it as a family thing but we knew that it’s Peter and Paul that own it. We’re only supporting them,” he said.
He added that their sister, Lilian, sometimes handled gate fees at their shows, while he served as the duo’s security.
According to Henry, Jude later offered to take over the management of P-Square after the brothers had begun making money from their music.
“They started making money bit by bit. Jude came in and said he wanted to manage them. We allowed Jude, my mum disagreed,” he said.
Josephine Okoye died on July 11, 2012, in India following complications related to heart surgery.
Henry also spoke about the subsequent deterioration of relations within the family, saying Paul’s change in behaviour particularly surprised him because he had previously regarded him as one of the kindest members of the family.
He claimed that Peter and Paul had promised him 20 per cent of their earnings after they became financially successful, but alleged that Jude intervened and cancelled the arrangement.
“They promised me 20 per cent when they start making money. Jude intervened and dismissed that. I challenged him that he wasn’t there when we started everything but now chasing everybody away from them,” he said.
Despite the prolonged dispute, Henry said he would welcome a reunion between Peter and Paul, although he expressed doubts that the brothers would reconcile.
“I will be happy for them to come back together but I don’t think it will happen. Paul was a very kind person,” he said.
Henry also appealed to Jude to help resolve the disagreements among the Okoye siblings and restore peace within the family.
He said their eldest brother, Christopher, had chosen not to get involved in the dispute because he is “born again.”
P-Square, made up of Peter and Paul Okoye, effectively split in 2017 after years of disagreements. The brothers reunited in 2021 but fell out again in 2024.
The latest dispute has also spilled into the courts. Jude was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in 2025 over alleged financial offences involving N1.38 billion, $1 million and £34,537.59. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
