Ogona Anita
A Magistrate Court sitting in Abuja has summoned former Kogi West Senator, Dino Melaye, to appear before it over alleged tax evasion and under-declaration of income spanning several years.
The criminal summons, dated August 21, 2025, and issued by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone II, mandates Melaye’s appearance on September 5, 2025.
According to Daily Post, the Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS) accused Melaye of deliberately underpaying his tax liabilities, despite publicly declaring far higher incomes during the period under review.
Records sighted by the tax authority showed that while Melaye declared anan income of over ₦6.5 million in 2022, he paid only ₦1,000,000 in taxes that year. In previous years, his payments were even lower — ₦85,000.08 in 2019, ₦100,000.08 in 2020, and ₦120,000 in 2021.
An administrative assessment for 2023 and 2024 was issued to Melaye on May 23, 2025. After he failed to respond within 30 days, the agency imposed a Best of Judgment Assessment on June 23, 2025.
Officials said attempts to personally serve him with the notice proved unsuccessful, forcing them to paste it at the gate of his Maitama residence on July 9, 2025. The FCT-IRS pegged his outstanding tax liabilities at ₦234,896,000 for 2023 and ₦274,712,000 for 2024 — a combined ₦509.6 million.
The agency accused the former lawmaker of breaching Section 41 of the Personal Income Tax Act. It warned that unless he clears the liabilities or raises a valid objection within 30 days, the assessment will become final and binding, paving the way for full recovery proceedings.
The notice read: “Despite reminders and ample time provided, your non-compliance with Section 41 of the Act constitutes a breach of your obligations. Consequently, the FCT-IRS has, in accordance with Section 54(3) of the Personal Income Tax Act, proceeded to raise a Best of Judgment Assessment in respect of your tax liabilities for the years under review.
“Your tax liability has been assessed in the sum of ₦234,896,000.00 and ₦274,712,000.00 for the period of 2023 and 2024 respectively.”
The FCT Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS) further revealed that discrepancies, including under-declarations and underpayments, were also uncovered in Dino Melaye’s tax filings for 2020, 2021, and 2022. The agency noted that fresh notices would be issued once its review of those years is concluded.
Melaye, who represented Kogi West Senatorial District in the 8th National Assembly, is no stranger to controversy. Before his tenure in the Senate, he served in the House of Representatives and later chaired key Senate Committees on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Aviation.
The former lawmaker was also the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the November 11, 2023 Kogi State election, but lost to Usman Ododo of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
