SAN FRANCISCO, April 15, (THEWILL) – A Lagos High Court has renewed its bench warrant for the arrest of a former Super Eagles captain, Austin Jay-Jay Okocha for alleged tax evasion.
This comes after his failure to appear in court to answer to the charge made against him and Justice Adedayo Akintoye renewed the order of arrest on for Okocha’s alleged failure to settle his income tax.
Okocha was charged by the Lagos State Ministry of Justice on a three-count charge bordering on failure to furnish return of income.
The Prosecutor, Dr Jide Martins had on June 6, 2017, filed the charge, adding that the case came up for the first time on Oct. 5, 2017, but the defendant did not appear in court.
However, after several adjournments without Okocha appearing in court when service have been effected on him, the prosecutor urged the court to issue a bench warrant.
Justice Adedayo Akintoye on January 29, 2019, issued a bench warrant for the arrest of the ex supper eagles star and adjourned until February 19, 2019.
However the prosecution had not effected the arrest by then and the court ordered that on the next adjourned date the order should have been executed.
Justice Akintoye adjourned the case until Monday April 15 for the execution of the bench warrant and further hearing but it was also observed that the warrant hasn’t been served.
The Lagos State Prosecutor says the offences contravene Sections 56 (a) and (b) of the Lagos State Revenue Administration Law No.8, 2006.
Also Section 94 (1) of the Personal Income Tax Act Cap P8, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
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