Dino Melaye, a former Senator representing Kogi West, has been summoned to a Federal Capital Territory Magistrate Court in Abuja over allegations of failing to pay his mandatory Personal Income Tax for 2023 and 2024, as well as underpaying taxes in 2020, 2021, and 2022.
According to the FCT Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Melaye’s tax payments were significantly lower than expected, despite declaring higher annual incomes.
It was reported that in 2022, he declared an annual income of over N6.5 million but only paid N1 million in taxes.
The IRS issued a notice of best judgment assessment on June 23, 2025, after Melaye failed to respond to an administrative assessment for 2023 and 2024.
The notice stated that Melaye’s total tax liabilities for 2023 and 2024 were assessed at N234,896,000.00 and N274,712,000.00, respectively.
Melaye has been summoned to appear before the Magistrate’s Court on September 5, 2025, to answer to the allegations.
The FCT IRS has warned that failure to make payment or file an objection within the stipulated period will result in the assessment being deemed final and conclusive, and recovery proceedings will be initiated without further notice.
As a former member of the Senate and House of Representatives, Melaye’s case has sparked interest in the accountability of public officials.
