Court issues arrest warrant for actress Monalisa Chinda

A bench warrant for the arrest of Nollywood actress Monalisa Chinda has been issued by a Lagos High Court in Igbosere over allegations that the thespian evaded tax.

The court order was made by Justice Adedayo Akintoye following an application by the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, alleging that Coker had repeatedly failed to honor a court summons.

The court application borders on a two-count charge accusing the actress of a 6-year failure to file annual tax returns and failure to pay income tax in respect of her company, Monalisa Code Productions.

Before the court issued the warrant of arrest, prosecution counsel, Y. A. Pitan told Justice Akintoye that the actress had not appeared in court since 2017, when the charge was filed against her.

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“The defendant has been served with hearing notice. The proof of service is in the court’s file,” Pitan said, while making an application for the bench warrant.

Count one of the charge reads in part: “Failure to furnish and file annual tax returns for the purpose of personal income taxation with the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) contrary to Section 94(1) of the Personal Income Tax Act 2004 (as amended).”

“The particulars of the count stated that Coker “of Monalisa Code Productions, being a taxable person in Nigeria and carrying on business at… Lekki… failed to furnish and file tax returns on your personal income for the years 2011 to 2016.”

Count two reads: “Failure to pay income tax contrary to Section 56 of the Lagos State Revenue Administration Law of 2006.”

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