A Lagos High Court, sitting at Igbosere, has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of former Super Eagles star, Austin Okocha, for his failure to appear in court to answer why he allegedly failed to pay his income tax to tax authorities.
Okocha, popularly known as Jay Jay Okocha, was charged by the Lagos State Ministry of Justice in a three-count charge bordering on failure to furnish returns of income. The tax default charge was filed on June 6, 2017 by the Lagos State Prosecutor, Dr. Jide Martins.
When the case came up for hearing on October 5, 2017, the defendant did not appear in court and failed also to appear after subsequent summons even when the charge had been served on him.
As a result of Okocha’s defiance which necessitated the court to adjourn the case severally, the prosecutor urged the court to issue a bench warrant to effect his arrest.
The judge, Justice Adedayo Akintoye, therefore on January 29, 2019 issued a bench warrant for the arrest of the ex supper eagles player and adjourned the case until February 19. However, on the adjourned date, the prosecution team told the court that the warrant had not been perfected on the defendant.
At the last proceeding, the judge further adjourned the case until April 15 for the execution of the bench warrant and further hearing.
The prosecutor had told the court while filing the charge that the defendant failed to provide information on his return of income for tax purposes to the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service, LSIRS. In addition, he submitted that the defendant also failed to pay his income taxes.
He pointed out that the offences contravened Sections 56 (a) and (b) of the Lagos State Revenue Administration Law No.8, 2006 and Section 94 (1) of the Personal Income Tax Act Cap P8, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
