Tax Evasion: Court Orders Jay Jay Okocha’s Arrest

A Lagos High court has ordered the arrest of former Super Eagles Captain, Austin Jay Jay Okocha for failing to appear before it over alleged non-payment of his income taxes.

Okocha, who is the current chairman of Delta State Football Association (FA), was dragged before the court by the Lagos State Ministry of Justice for failure to submit returns of his personal income tax.

The complaint was filed on 6 June 2017 and court was forced to issue the bench warrant for Okocha’s arrest following his repeated refusal to appear in court for the case.

When the suit came up for the first time on October 5, 2017 Okocha was conspicuously absence in court.

The former Eagles midfield maestro equally shunned court appearance after several adjournments were granted to enable him to do.

In his frustration, the prosecutor urged the court to issue a bench warrant for his arrest.

Ruling on the prosecutor’s request, Justice Adedayo Akintoye of the High Court in Igbosere, on January 29, 2019 issued a bench warrant and adjourned proceedings until Tuesday, February 19, 2019.

However, the Delta-born soccer great still failed to put up an appearance in court on Tuesday and has continued to evade arrest.

Justice Akintoye therefore adjourned the case till April 15, 2019 for the execution of the bench warrant on the ex-Bolton of England player. – NAN