Alleged Tax Evasion: Court Renews Jay Jay Okocha’s Arrest Warrant
Justice Adedayo Akintoye of a Lagos High court sitting in Igbosere, has again issued a bench warrant for the arrest of a former Super Eagles Captain, Augustine popularly known as Jay- Jay Okocha over alleged tax evasion.
Justice Akintoye extended the warrant, earlier issued on Jan. 29, following an application made by the Lagos State Prosecutor, Mr Yusuf Sule.
Sule told the court that Okocha was yet to settle out of court a 2017 alleged income tax evasion charge.
The prosecutor said that Okocha had also failed to appear in court since Oct. 5, 2017, when the case first came up.
Okocha, who was not in court, was not represented by any lawyer.
At the resumption of proceedings Monday, Sule said Okocha had made contact with the Lagos Internal Revenue Service (LIRS).
He said: “The defendant (Okocha) is trying to settle, but he is yet to make any payment. In the circumstances, we will be asking for a further date.”
Granting his application, Justice Akintoye ruled: “Bench Warrant is to continue against the defendant. Case adjourned till May 28, 2019 for further directions.”
The government filed a three-count charge against Okocha on June 6, 2017, accusing him of:
“Failure to furnish return of income for tax purposes with the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service contrary to Section 94 (1) of the Personal Income Tax Act Cap P8 Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 2004 (As Amended).
“Failure to pay income tax contrary to Section 56(a) and (b) of the Lagos State Revenue Administration Law No. 8 of 2006.
“Failure to furnish return of Income for tax purposes with the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service contrary to Section 94(1)of the Personal Income Tax Act Cap P8 Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 2004 (As Amended).”