A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone II, Abuja, has summoned former Kogi West Senator Dino Melaye to appear on September 5, 2025, over alleged tax evasion totaling ₦509.6 million for 2023 and 2024. The Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS) accused Melaye of failing to pay his mandatory Personal Income Tax, assessed at ₦234,896,000 for 2023 and ₦274,712,000 for 2024, following an administrative assessment issued on May 23, 2025. The agency also alleged underpayment of taxes from 2019 to 2022, noting that in 2019, as a sitting senator, Melaye declared an annual income of ₦1,258,334 but paid only ₦85,000.08 in tax, and in 2022, he declared ₦6,541,666.67 but paid just ₦1,000,000, according to court documents.
The FCT-IRS stated that Melaye failed to respond to the May assessment within the 30-day window, prompting a “Best of Judgment Assessment” on June 23, 2025, which was pasted on his Maitama residence on July 9, 2025, after he allegedly evaded service. The agency warned that non-compliance with Section 41 of the Personal Income Tax Act 2011 could lead to recovery proceedings, with additional liabilities for 2020 (₦100,000.08 paid on ₦1,383,334 income), 2021 (₦120,000 on ₦1,550,000), and 2022 still under review. Melaye faces potential penalties and interest charges beyond the ₦509.6 million if convicted. The summons, dated August 21, 2025, follows Melaye’s recent acquittal in a six-year legal battle over unrelated charges, but no response from Melaye on the tax allegations was reported.
