Dino Melaye dragged to court for tax evasion

Dino Melaye dragged to court for tax evasion

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has dragged former Kogi West Senator, Dino Melaye, before a Magistrate Court in Abuja over alleged tax evasion and underpayment.

According to court documents, Melaye is accused of failing to pay his Personal Income Tax for 2023 and 2024, while also under-declaring and underpaying taxes in previous years.

A criminal summons issued on August 21, 2025, mandates him to appear before the Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone II on September 5.

The Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS) disclosed that Melaye’s declared earnings were inconsistent with his tax remittances.

In 2019, he reportedly paid N85,000.08; in 2020, N100,000.08; in 2021, N120,000; and in 2022, N1 million, despite declaring an income of over N6.5m in that year alone.

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The agency said an administrative assessment for 2023 and 2024 was issued on May 23, 2025. When Melaye failed to respond within the 30-day window, a “best of judgment assessment” was raised on June 23.

After unsuccessful attempts to serve him directly, the notice was pasted at his Maitama residence on July 9.

The IRS assessed his liabilities at N234.9m for 2023 and N274.7m for 2024, warning that failure to pay or file an objection within 30 days would make the assessments final and trigger recovery proceedings.

It also noted discrepancies for the 2020–2022 tax years, with additional assessments expected after review.

Melaye, who previously served in both chambers of the National Assembly, was a former chairman of the Senate Committee on FCT and later Aviation.

He contested the November 2023 Kogi governorship election under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Dino Melaye dragged to court for tax evasion