Former Super Eagles star midfielder Austin Jay-Jay Okocha faces arrest for tax evasion. Okocha’s arrest has been issued by the Lagos High Court in Igbosere, after he repeatedly failed to show up in court when charged for not paying his income taxes. A warrant for his arrest has been ordered by the high court which has taken effect immediately.
The 45-year-old former Nigeria international was not given preferential treatment by the judicial system for his achievements wearing the green and white of Nigeria across various local and international competitions. According to a report by the Guardian, the Lagos State Ministry of Justice charged the Bolton Wanderers legend Okocha with a three-count charge for failure to furnish his return of income.
The case was brought to the court on June 6, 2017 by the prosecutor, Dr. Jide Martins and Okocha was invited to the court on October 5, 2017, but did not show up. The case has been adjourned severally with Okocha the defendant failing to appear for any hearing at court. On Tuesday, January 29 the judge in charge of the case Justice Adedayo Akintoye issued the first warrant of arrest for Okocha.
By the adjourned date on Tuesday, February 19 the arrest had not been made which is holding up the execution of the case. The judge has now ruled that he must be brought to court as he did not hold up “Sections 56 (a) and (b) of the Lagos State Revenue Administration Law No.8, 2006, as well as Section 94 (1) of the Personal Income Tax Act Cap P8, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.”
Okocha’s case comes after his former teammate Nwankwo Kanu said his medals and trophies have been stolen while he battled a hotel seizure. The case against Okocha is expected to take off when they reconvene at court on Monday, April 15.
A quick and skillful playmaker, Okocha is considered as the best Nigerian and one of the best African players of all time, Okocha was known for his confidence with the ball, technique, creativity, and dribbling skills, as well as his use of feints, in particular the stepover. Due to his skill, he was described as being ‘so good that they named him twice’ (a line immortalised in a terrace chant while Okocha played for Bolton Wanderers).
Okocha made his official debut for Nigeria in their 2–1 1994 FIFA World Cup Qualifier away loss against Ivory Coast in May 1993. It was not until his second cap and home debut that he became a favourite with the Nigerian supporters. In March 2004, he was named one of the top 125 living footballers by Brazilian legend Pelé.