Senate Backs Down on CAC Registrar’s Removal After Apology, Orders Fresh Budget Presentation

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

The Senate Committee on Finance on Monday rescinded its earlier resolution seeking the removal of the Registrar-General of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Hussaini Ishaq Magaji (SAN), following his apology and renewed commitment to cooperate with the National Assembly.

The committee had last Thursday recommended that President Bola Tinubu remove the CAC boss over his repeated failure to honour invitations and alleged disregard for its oversight functions.

But at a fresh session on Monday, the committee reversed itself after Magaji appeared before lawmakers, tendered an unreserved apology and announced the creation of a dedicated liaison office to strengthen engagement between the commission and the National Assembly.

Chairman of the committee, Senator Sani Musa, had earlier rebuked the registrar for what he described as persistent refusal to appear before the panel or delegating junior officers in his place.

Musa said, “This committee is not happy with you for your persistent refusal to appear before it.

“The Constitution grants us oversight powers over all revenue-generating agencies. At our last sitting, we recommended your removal, and you appeared shortly after. We want an explanation.”

Responding, Magaji accepted full responsibility and assured the lawmakers that the communication lapses that led to his absence had been addressed.

“Mr. Chairman, I sincerely apologise to the committee. We have now created a dedicated liaison office to handle interactions with the National Assembly. I assure you this will not happen again,” he said.

Following his apology, several senators appealed for leniency, describing the CAC boss as a committed and patriotic public servant.

Senator Diket Plang (Plateau Central) said he had known Magaji for years as a respectful and dedicated Nigerian who would not deliberately undermine the Senate.

Senators Ned Nwoko (Delta North), Jibrin Isa (Kogi East) and Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia North), who had initially moved the motion for his removal, also urged the committee to forgive him.

The motion to rescind the earlier resolution was moved by Senator Jibrin Isa and seconded by Senator Nasir Musa Zango Daura (Katsina North). It was unanimously adopted through a voice vote.

However, the committee stood down consideration of the CAC’s 2024 and 2025 budget proposals, describing the presentation as inadequate, and directed the registrar to return on Thursday with a more detailed submission.