Dino Melaye faces court over alleged N509.6m tax evasion
By Kunle Sanni –
Former Kogi West senator, Dino Melaye, has been summoned before a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Magistrate Court over allegations of evading more than N509.6 million in personal income tax.
According to a report by Premium Times, filings by the FCT Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS) allege that Melaye failed to pay his assessed tax liabilities of N234.9 million for 2023 and N274.7 million for 2024, despite repeated notifications.
The agency also accused him of underpaying taxes in earlier years. Records show he declared incomes of N1.38 million in 2020, N1.55 million in 2021, and N6.54 million in 2022 but remitted only N100,000, N120,000, and N1 million respectively. In 2019, while still in the Senate, he declared N1.26 million but paid just N85,000 in tax.
A criminal summons dated August 21, 2025, compels Melaye to appear before the court in Wuse Zone II, Abuja, on September 5, 2025.
The FCT-IRS said it issued a “best judgment assessment” on June 23 after Melaye allegedly ignored an administrative review of his 2023 and 2024 liabilities. The notice was later posted at his Maitama residence on July 9, after unsuccessful service attempts.
“Despite reminders and ample time provided, your non-compliance with Section 41 of the Personal Income Tax Act constitutes a breach of your obligations,” the agency stated, warning that additional liabilities for 2020 to 2022 would follow once its review is complete.
Under Nigeria’s Personal Income Tax Act (PITA) 2011, failure to file returns, under-declaring income, or outright tax evasion attracts fines, interest penalties, and possible criminal prosecution.
If the court upholds the FCT-IRS assessment, Melaye could be compelled to pay the N509.6 million claimed for 2023 and 2024, along with additional liabilities and penalties for previous years.
