Court orders Jay Jay Okocha’s arrest over alleged tax fraud

A Lagos High Court has ordered the arrest of Jay-Jay Okocha for failure to appear in court to answer why he allegedly failed to pay his income tax.



The former Super Eagles star has repeatedly failed to appear before the court to answer why he allegedly failed to pay his income taxes.

Jay-Jay Okocha was charged by the Lagos State Ministry of Justice in a three-count charge bordering on failure to furnish return of income.

The Lagos State Prosecutor, Dr. Jide Martins had on June 6, 2017 filed the charge, but when the case came up on October 5, 2017, the defendant did not appear in court.

Consequently after several adjournments without the defendant 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.

However on the adjourned date, prosecution informed the court that the warrant had not been perfected on the defendant.

At yesterday’s proceeding, Justice Akintoye further adjourned the case until April 15 for the execution of the bench warrant and further hearing.

Earlier, the prosecutor told the court that the defendant had failed to furnish return of income for tax purposes to the Lagos State internal revenue services.

Martins also said that the defendant had failed to pay his income taxes.

He said 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.