The tax troubles of former Kogi West senator, Dino Melaye, have taken a legal turn as a magistrate court in Abuja has summoned him over alleged failure to pay personal income tax running into nearly half a billion naira.
The summons, dated August 21, 2025, and issued by Magistrate Chiemena Nonye-Okoronkwo, directs Melaye to appear before the court in Wuse Zone II on September 5.
According to the Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS), the former lawmaker has outstanding liabilities of N234.9 million for 2023 and N274.7 million for 2024. The agency also flagged discrepancies in his earlier filings, noting underpayments between 2020 and 2022.
Records indicate that Melaye declared an income of over N6.5 million in 2022, yet paid only N1 million in tax that year. Similar gaps were observed in 2020 and 2021 when he paid N100,000 and N120,000 respectively.
The FCT-IRS said it issued an “administrative assessment” in May 2025. After Melaye failed to respond within 30 days, the agency raised a Best of Judgment (BOJ) assessment on June 23.
“Despite reminders and ample time provided, your non-compliance constitutes a breach of your obligations under Section 41 of the Personal Income Tax Act,” the notice stated.
The Service added that Melaye retains the right to contest the assessment within 30 days, failing which the liabilities will become final and recovery proceedings will commence.
For a man who once relished the limelight of the Senate, the coming days may prove just as dramatic — only this time, inside a courtroom.
