Court renews arrest warrant for Monalisa Chinda

A renewed bench warrant for the arrest of actress-cum-producer Monalisa Chinda Coker for alleged tax evasion has been issued by a Lagos High Court presided over by Justice Adedayo Akintoye.

The order was made by the presiding judge over the continued failure of the actress to appear in court for her trial since 2017 as neither Coker nor her lawyer was present when the case was called yesterday.

Before Justice Akintoye adjourned the case till June 5 for further proceedings till June 5, the prosecution counsel, Babatunde Sumonu told the judge that the bench warrant had yet to be effected.

“The bench warrant is to continue,” Justice Akintoye held.

Recall that the judge made the original order for Coker’s arrest last January 21, following an application by the Lagos State Ministry of Justice.

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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.

Count one of the charge against Coker read 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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