By Erewunmi Peace

A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Magistrate Court has summoned former Kogi West Senator, Dino Melaye, over allegations of ₦509.6 million tax evasion.

The summons, issued on August 21, 2025, follows claims by the FCT Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS) that Melaye failed to pay his Personal Income Tax (PIT) for 2023 and 2024, amounting to ₦234,896,000 and ₦274,712,000, respectively.

Court documents reveal that several attempts were made to serve Melaye personally, but after failing to reach him, the tax assessment notice was pasted on the gate of his Maitama residence on July 9, 2025.

According to the FCT-IRS, the former senator also underpaid taxes between 2019 and 2022, remitting only a fraction of his obligations despite significant income declarations.

Melaye is scheduled to appear before the court on September 5, 2025, to answer to the allegations.

The case stems from a “best of judgment” assessment carried out by the FCT-IRS after Melaye allegedly ignored previous administrative assessments sent in May 2025.

If found guilty, Melaye could face severe penalties, including fines and possible imprisonment, as stipulated under Nigerian tax laws.