Court summons Dino Melaye over alleged Multi-Billion tax evasion in Abuja

Former Kogi West Senator, Dino Melaye, has been dragged before a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Magistrate Court over allegations of failing to pay his Personal Income Tax for 2023 and 2024, and underpaying his taxes between 2020 and 2022.

A criminal summons dated August 21, 2025, issued by the FCT Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone II, Abuja, mandates Melaye to appear in court on September 5, 2025 to answer to the charges.

According to documents filed by the FCT Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Melaye’s tax declarations and payments fell far short of his reported earnings.

In 2019, he paid N85,000.08; In 2020, he paid N100,000.08; In 2021, he paid N120,000; In 2022, he paid N1,000,000, despite declaring an annual income of over N6.5 million

The IRS revealed that an administrative assessment was issued on May 23, 2025, covering 2023 and 2024. After Melaye allegedly failed to respond within 30 days, a Best of Judgment (BOJ) Assessment was raised on June 23, 2025.

When multiple attempts to deliver the notice to Melaye personally failed, officials pasted the documents on the gate of his Maitama, Abuja residence on July 9, 2025.

The FCT-IRS assessed Melaye’s outstanding tax liabilities at staggering figures: N234,896,000.00 for 2023; N274,712,000.00 for 2024

The Service further alleged income under-declaration and underpayment for the years 2020, 2021, and 2022, warning that additional notices would be issued following a full review.

READ ALSO: Dino Melaye exits PDP, calls it an APC ‘Parastatal’

In its notice, the IRS stated: “Despite reminders and ample time provided, your non-compliance with Section 41 of the Act constitutes a breach of your obligations. Consequently, the Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS) has, in accordance with Section 54(3) of the Personal Income Tax Act, proceeded to raise a Best of Judgment Assessment.”

It further warned that failure to pay or file an objection within 30 days would render the assessment final and conclusive, leading to recovery proceedings.

Dino Melaye, a controversial figure in Nigerian politics, previously represented Kogi West in the Senate and served in the House of Representatives. He chaired the Senate Committee on the FCT and briefly headed the Senate Committee on Aviation.

Melaye was also the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the November 11, 2023, Kogi State election, though he lost to the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate.

With the summons now issued, the high-profile case is expected to reignite debates on Nigeria’s tax compliance culture, particularly among political elites.