Austain Jay Jay Okocha, former Super Eagles captain again declared wanted for tax evasion

IKEJA, Nigeria – A Lagos High Court sitting in Igbosere today issued another bench warrant for the arrest of former Super Eagles captain, Austine Jay-Jay Okocha. The court heard that Austain Jay Jay Okocha is yet to liquidate his alleged tax debt owed the Lagos State Government. 

The prosecution led by Mrs Y. A. Pitan, told Justice Adedayo Akintoye that Okocha had visited the Lagos Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) office, but failed to settle the the 2017 income tax evasion charge out of court. 

The judge, then tye April 15, renewed the warrant for Okocha’s arrest.This is the third time a bench warrant would be issued by the court for arrest of the former Super Eagles midfielder.  The warrant was originally made last January 29.  Like in previous proceedings, Okocha was neither in court, nor represented by a lawyer when the case was called. Pitan informed the court of steps the prosecution had taken to effect the arrest warrant. 

“The LIRS informed us that the defendant (Okocha) visited their office. He went there to reconcile accounts. He hasn’t settled yet,” she said. So, what do you want the court to do,” the judge asked. 

Pitan prayed for more time following which Justice Akintoye adjourned till October 10, 2019 . The prosecution told the court that Okocha has failed to appear in court since October 5, 2017, when the case first came up. The Lagos State Government had 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).”