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| Austin Okocha |
Austin Okocha has appeared in court in Aberdeen facing money laundering charges, Aberdeen Evening Express reports.
Okocha, who is better known as Jay-Jay, appeared in private at Aberdeen Sheriff Court on Friday.
The 45-year-old, who describes himself on his social media profile as โThe Football Magicianโ, made 124 appearances in the Premier League, scoring 14 goals for Bolton Wanderers between 2002 and 2006.
The former Paris Saint-Germain and Fenerbahce star, who represented Nigeria at the 1994, 1998 and 2002, World Cups, faced two charges in the closed-door hearing, according to the report.
The famous sportsman was seen at court wearing white trainers with smart black trousers, a white shirt and suit jacket on top of a puffer jacket.
He faces one charge in relation to alleged acquisition, use and possession of criminal property, and another relating to allegedly concealing, disguising, converting and transferring criminal property. It is understood the appearance relates to incidents alleged to have happened in the North-East in 2015.
Police began an investigation in 2015 which spanned two years before charges were brought against Okocha and six others โ five of who are alleged to have carried out fraud related to North-East businesses.
The Atlanta โ96 Olympic Games gold medallist, who also netted 14 times for Nigeria in 73 appearances, helped Nigeria win the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia, made no plea during the hearing.
The retired footballer, of Milton Keynes, was granted bail. The case against him was continued for further examination. No date has yet been fixed for his next court appearance.
Okocha moved from Fenerbahce in Turkey to PSG in 1998 for a transfer fee of โฌ12.4m.
The attacking midfielder also played for Hull City in the English Championship before retiring from the sport after the 2008-09 season.
