Skip to main content

EFCC Vs Jude Okoye: Court Grants Accused N100m Bail

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja
The Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi Lagos State has granted Jude Chigozie Okoye, elder brother and ex-manager of Paul and Peter Okoye N100 million bail, with two sureties in like sum. 

Justice Alexander Owoeye, who presided over the case had also on Monday, March 3, 2025, adjourned hearing in the trial of the accused till April 14, 2025.

Okoye is standing trial alongside his company, Northside Music Limited, on seven- count charges  bordering on money laundering raised against him by the Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

One of the counts reads: “That you, Jude Okoye Chigozie and Northside Music Limited sometime in 2022, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did directly acquire a landed property known as No 5, Tony Eromosele Street Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos worth ₦850,000,000.00 (Eight hundred and fifty million naira) only, which money you knew or reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful act and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 (2) (d) and punishable under Section 18 (3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to him upon his arraignment on February 26, 2025.

After listening to all the submissions, Justice Owoeye noted that Okoye’s charges were bailable and granted bail to the defendant in the sum of N100 million, with two sureties in like sum, one of whom must have landed properties within the court's jurisdiction. 

At Monday’s proceeding, defence counsel, Inibehe Effiong moved the bail application of his client citing medical grounds. He prayed the court to grant the bail. 

Prosecuting counsel, Fanen Anum, however, opposed the bail application, urging the court to refuse it and instead grant accelerated hearing.

"He is a flight-risk and he may interfere with the prosecution's witnesses," he said.

But the court ordered that he must notify the EFCC before any travel outside the jurisdiction.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

11- month Unpaid Salaries: FG Returns EHCON To Budget Circle By 2025

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Stakeholders and Staff of EHCON in a group photograph at the unveiling of EHCON’s Electronic Documentation Management Center (EDMC) in Abuja on Wednesday. The Federal Government has stated that plans are underway to return the staff of Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON) to budgetary allocation by 2025 and facilitate the payment of 11-month unpaid salaries. Minister of Environment, Alhaji Balarabe Abbas Lawal stated this on Wednesday in Abuja at the unveiling of Environmental Health Council of Nigeria's (EHCON) Electronic Documentation Management Center (EDMC).  The centre, which is domiciled at the headquarters of EHCON in the Federal Secretariat, was built by EHCON in partnership with Agro - Climate Resilience in Semi Arid Landscape (ACReSAL) and financed by the World Bank. News Rider reports that the staff of EHCON received their last salary in December 2023, which  implied that from January to November 2024, the workforce are y...
1 comment
Read more

EHCON Seals Deal With SEPHON, EPHPAN, WAHEB To Revamp Environmental, Public Health

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Registrar of  Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON) Dr Yakubu Baba  displaying a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the Registrar of West African Health Examination Board (WAHEB) Mrs Bola Oladejo in Abuja on Tuesday.  In line with global best practices, the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON) has sealed deal with strategic professional bodies to revamp environmental and public health issues across the country.  They are Society for Environmental and Public Health of Nigeria (SEPHON), Environmental and Public Health Practitioners of Nigeria (EPHPAN), and West African Health Examination Board (WAHEB).  Registrar of EHCON, Dr Yakubu Baba stated this on Tuesday at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the professional bodies in Abuja.  He noted that Environmental Health (EH) is a profession recognised and established by Act 11 of Environmental Health Officers Registration Counc...
Post a Comment
Read more

CCB, NILDS Endorse CIFCFIN Agenda To Eliminate Fraud

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Iliyasu Gashinbaki  The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) have endorsed the agenda of the Chartered Institute of Forensics and Certified Fraud Investigators of Nigeria (CIFCFIN), aimed at eliminating fraud from systems of government.  This was one of the major highlights during the Institute’s 13th Direct Training/Licensed Practitioners Training/graduation and award of Fellowship at NILDS headquarters, Abuja.  Speaking after his investiture as an Honourary Fellow of the Institute, Chairman of CCB, Dr. Abdullahi Bello noted that CIFICFIN embodies excellence, integrity and a steadfast commitment to combating fraud and upholding justice. He pointed out that to be recognised and honoured as a fellow of the institute is a privilege that he will cherish and carry with great responsibility.  “As the Chief Executive of CCB, I am reminded of the critical role we play in fosterin...
Post a Comment
Read more