Alleged Tax Evasion: Court Fixes Oct. 10 For Nollywood Actress’ Trial

An Igbosere High Court, Lagos State, on Thursday fixed Oct. 10
for the trial of a Nollywood actress, Monalisa Chinda-Coker, over
alleged tax evasion.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that trial was earlier
fixed for June 5, but could not hold due to the Eid-el-Fitr
holiday.

At the resumed hearing on Thursday, the court fixed Oct. 10 as
the new date for trial.

Chinda-Coker, who is also films producer, is facing a two-count
charge of failure to file annual tax returns and failure to pay
income tax in respect of her company, Monalisa Code
Productions.

According to the charge marked LD/5712c/2017, Monalisa Code
Productions carries on its business from Lekki in Lagos.

NAN recalls that on the last adjourned date on April 1, Justice
Adedayo Akintoye had renewed a bench warrant for the arrest of the
actress following her failure to appear in court for trial.

The Lagos State Counsel, Mr Babatunde Sumonu, had told the court
that the bench warrant earlier issued has yet to be effected.

The judge, therefore, held that the bench warrant should
subsist.

NAN also reports that the court had on Jan. 21, given an order
for the actress’ arrest following an application made by the Lagos
State Ministry of Justice.

The state submitted that the defendant repeatedly failed to
honour court summons since 2017 when the charge was filed.

The prosecutor said that the defendant failed to file annual tax
returns and pay income tax in respect of her company, to the Lagos
State Internal Revenue Service, for six years.

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According to the state, Monalisa Code Productions carries out
its business from Lekki in Lagos State.

The alleged offences contravened Section 94(1) of the Personal
Income Tax Act 2004 (as amended) and Section 56 of the Lagos State
Revenue Administrative Law of 2006.

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