KJustice Adedayo Akintoye of Lagos High Court has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of ex-Super Eagles international, Austin Okocha, popularly known as Jay Jay Okocha, over his failure to appear in court several times to explain his refusal to pay his income taxes.

The prosecutor, Dr Jide Martins, had on June 6, 2017, filed the charge, adding that the case came up for the first time on Oct. 5, 2017, but the defendant did not appear in court.

The prosecutor had told the court that the defendant had failed to furnish the Lagos State Internal Revenue Services, with a return of income for tax purposes.

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.

It was learnt that the bench warrant was issued on Jan. 29 for the arrest of the football star while the suit was adjourned to Feb. 19.

But it was learnt that the prosecution failed to arrest the footballer on the set date, leading the court to order that the warrant should be executed on the next adjourned date.

Credit: Channels Television