By Daruba Farouk | National News
Henry Okoye, elder brother of former P-Square members Peter and Paul Okoye, has revealed that their late mother, Josephine Okoye, opposed the decision to have their brother, Jude Okoye, 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 played a major role in supporting Peter and Paul when they were starting their music careers, noting that Jude was not involved at the time.
According to him, he sponsored the duo’s early performances and travelled with them to different states for shows and promotional activities.
“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 when Benson & Hedges came to Jos in search of artistes, he was the one who took Peter and Paul to the stadium for a performance.
Henry said the family initially treated the music venture as a collective effort, while recognising Peter and Paul as the owners of the project.
He added that Jude later expressed interest in managing the duo, but their mother disagreed with the arrangement.
“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.
Mrs Okoye died in India on July 11, 2012, following complications related to heart surgery.
Henry also spoke about the growing disagreements within the family, saying he was particularly surprised by changes in Paul’s behaviour, whom he described as previously being “the nicest person in the family.”
He alleged that he had initially been promised 20 per cent when Peter and Paul began making money from their music, but claimed Jude later intervened and the arrangement was discontinued.
“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,” Henry said.
The elder Okoye expressed willingness to see Peter and Paul reunite, although he said he was doubtful 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 appealed to Jude to help restore peace within the family by resolving the disagreements among the siblings.
He further disclosed that their eldest brother, Christopher, had chosen not to get involved in the dispute, describing him as someone who is “born again.”
Peter and Paul effectively went their separate ways in 2017 before briefly reuniting in 2021. However, their relationship deteriorated again in 2024.
The family dispute later spilled into legal proceedings, with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission arraigning Jude in 2025 over alleged fraud involving N1.38 billion, $1 million and £34,537.59.
Jude pleaded not guilty to the charges, and the case remains before the court.
