Jude Okoye’s ex-lawyer blasts Peter, alleges singer’s online claims contradict court testimony
Lawyer Accuses Peter Okoye of Influencing Public Opinion Amid Family Legal Dispute
Inibehe Effiong, former legal counsel to Jude Okoye, has criticized Peter Okoye of the musical duo Psquare for allegedly attempting to sway public sentiment regarding the family’s ongoing legal issues.
Effiong made the statements in a post on his official X account, responding to a series of recent allegations made by Peter against Jude regarding the management of Psquare’s business affairs and finances.
The attorney, whose law firm initially represented Jude Okoye, noted discrepancies between Peter’s public comments and his testimony under cross-examination in court.
“Our firm began Jude Okoye’s legal defense, filing bail applications at both the Federal High Court and Lagos State High Court. A Senior Advocate of Nigeria later took over proceedings,” Effiong stated.
He emphasized that Jude Okoye has not been convicted of any crime, underscoring the importance of the constitutional presumption of innocence.
“Jude has not been convicted by any court of law. He deserves the presumption of innocence guaranteed by the Constitution,” Effiong asserted.
Effiong also defended the conditions of bail granted to Jude, suggesting that such measures, including the surrender of travel documents, should not be misconstrued as indicators of guilt.
He expressed concern over Peter’s choice to air allegations on social media while court proceedings are ongoing, calling it inappropriate.
“It is perplexing that Peter, as the nominal complainant in these cases, has chosen to pursue a social media trial while matters are still before the courts,” he said.
The lawyer further contended that Peter’s online statements contradict his court testimony.
“Peter’s online claims differ significantly from the admissions he has made under cross-examination. He is aware of what he is doing,” Effiong added.
He urged Peter to focus on providing evidence in court rather than engaging in public discourse about the matter.
“His energy should be directed toward testifying in court to support the charges against Jude, rather than participating in a media trial. The cases are in court; we must allow the legal system to determine the guilt or innocence of the defendant,” he stated.
The legal dispute between the Okoye brothers continues to unfold in court, with both sides publicly defending their positions.
