P-Square Family Feud Escalates: New Allegations and Reactions Stir Controversy

The prolonged crisis involving members of the popular Okoye family, particularly music stars Peter Okoye (Mr P) and Paul Okoye (Rudeboy) of the defunct P-Square group, and their elder brother Jude Okoye, has drawn significant concern from entertainment industry figures. Collins Ajereh, father of music producer Don Jazzy, publicly expressed his sorrow and offered prayers for reconciliation and healing, sharing a throwback photo from 2015 when he prayed for Peter Okoye and his wife, Lola Omotayo Okoye. Ajereh conveyed his emotional distress over the family's tribulations and wished for God to heal their broken hearts and restore peace.

The dispute, which has repeatedly played out in public, reignited after Peter Okoye released a video series making serious allegations of financial betrayal, death threats, and most notably, the mistreatment of his wife, Lola Omotayo Okoye, by family members, including their late mother. Peter recounted a distressing family meeting at his Omole residence when his son was an infant. He alleged that his late mother, Josephine Okoye, along with his brothers Jude, Paul, and Tony, and several pastors, confronted him and Lola over their relationship. Peter claimed his mother initially showed no interest in their new baby, instead asking to see Lola.

During this alleged meeting, Peter detailed how Lola was summoned to the master bedroom where everyone else was seated, but neither he nor his wife was offered a seat, forcing them to sit on the floor. He claimed their mother then told Lola, “Young woman, we the Okoye family have decided that you should leave our son alone.” Peter further alleged that Jude made a derogatory remark in Igbo about his infant son, which Lola interpreted as calling the child a “bastard,” leading to her crying and being pushed out of the house. Prior to this confrontation, Peter also claimed that Jude and Rudeboy had opposed Lola’s pregnancy and even circulated an anonymous email questioning the paternity of his unborn son, stating they did “nothing” for Lola to take the pregnancy out.

Despite these accusations, Peter insisted that his late mother later acknowledged his son as his biological child and had asked his brothers, Paul and Jude, to apologize to him, an apology he claims never materialized before her death. Peter also vehemently rejected any claims that Lola disliked his late mother. He highlighted Lola's unwavering care for their mother when she was ill, recounting how Lola stayed with her in the hospital until midnight daily for over two months, even preparing food for accompanying pastors from Jos. Peter reiterated that his mother, before her passing in 2012, had urged Paul and Jude to apologize, but they never did, even as other family members eventually offered their apologies.

Peter also recalled how Jude, who was then their manager, allegedly orchestrated a deliberate move to prevent him from attending his own wedding. He claimed Jude booked a Globacom show in Ghana on the eve of his wedding, showing him a return ticket for the wedding day. Despite Peter arranging a private jet to ensure his presence, Jude reportedly did not attend the wedding. Peter further alleged that Jude posted a picture of himself with other prominent artists like Wizkid and Don Jazzy at a Mavin studio during the wedding, and when questioned online about his absence, Jude allegedly commented, “If our mum were alive, this wedding wouldn’t have happened,” despite other artists from that same studio attending the ceremony.

Paul Okoye, known as Rudeboy, responded to Peter’s allegations regarding their late mother with a brief social media post on Friday. Appearing to defend their mother, he wrote, “Unfortunately, you’re not here to defend yourself. Continue resting, Mum.” This latest exchange is part of an enduring dispute that extends beyond family relationships to include music royalties, company management, and legal battles. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has charged Jude Okoye with money laundering involving significant sums, to which he pleaded not guilty. Peter testified for the prosecution in these proceedings, while Paul publicly defended Jude. P-Square first split in 2017, reunited in November 2021, but dissolved again in 2024 due to renewed disagreements over business affairs and royalty payments, leading both brothers to continue their solo careers.

Amidst the ongoing public feud, there has been an unexpected resurgence of interest in P-Square’s music catalog. According to Album Talks HQ, three of their albums—the compilation album Best of P-Square, Get Squared, and Game Over—have returned to or climbed the Nigeria Apple Music Albums Chart. Best of P-Square climbed 87 places to number 100, while Get Squared and Game Over re-entered at numbers 173 and 182, respectively. This renewed attention from fans, revisiting their earlier works, underscores the group's enduring legacy as one of Africa's most successful music acts in the early 2000s, known for hit songs like 'Bizzy Body', 'Do Me', 'Game Over', and 'Personally'.