The Nigerian Senate Committee on Finance has mandated the Inspector General of Police to compel appearance of the Registrar General of Corporate Affairs Commission, Garba Lawal before it within 24 hours.
Chairman of the Committee, Senator Sani Musa said this in Abuja, when officials of CAC appeared before the committee for Defence of 2024 budget estimates of the organisation.
Senator Musa expressed disappointment that the Registrar General shunned the Committee’s invitation for the third time.
He said the RG was expected to appear to defend the commission’s 2024 budget, saying that some financial discrepancies were earlier spotted by the committee in the book of accounts submitted.
He said further explanation was needed by the RG on the financial discrepancies ,a development that seems to have scared the CAC boss from appearing before the Committee.
“The four senior officials of the Corporate Affairs Commission having confirmed several letter of invitation by the Clerk of the Senate Committee on Finance could not explain reasons RG’s absence before the panel, ” Musa said.
Also, Senator Abdul Ningi advised the CAC officials not to come back without the RG, urging them to let the CAC Boss explain how funds were expended in the agency.
“Mr Chairman, it is imperative to understand where they are coming from that this is not the first time they are appearing before the Committee.
“There was a deliberate discussion with you that there was discrepancies in revenue generation and expenditure by the Corporate Affairs Commission and we said, the Registrar General should be here.
“Yet you are here and you probably told him that you can do the job.,even if you can do the job, this job is not for you please. Don’t take the bullet that is meant for him,” Senator Ningi said.
Senator Musa further said:“With all sense of humility, the Corporate Affairs Registrar General has disregarded this committee.
“Distinguished colleagues, Corporate Affairs Commission was present when we treated MTEF/FSP and the Director of Finance was here.
“We saw discrepancies and we told you to go and come back. You have your book keepers, you have your records and we asked you to go and tidy up and report back, but you never did.
“I have cause to tell the Secretariat to send you a letter, you appear here. When you came, you said the Registrar General just felt ill, I excused you expecting you are going to come back with documents requested.
“You Know what the financial regulation of this country is. I had cause to tell the Committee Secretariat to write you again and you are here without the RG.
“You are the custodian of finances of the Corporate Affairs Commission and there are discrepancies.
“How many entities are registered in this country. How many? How much were you reporting there and you are taking us with levity.
“I am invoking Section 89(2) mandating the Inspector General of Police to compel appearance of the Registrar General of the Corporate Affairs Commission before the Senate Committee on Finance within 24 hours,” he argued.
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