The Nigerian Senate, through its committee on Finance has rescinded its resolution taken last week for the removal of Registrar – General of the Corporate Affairs Commission ( CAC), Hussaini Ishaq Magaji from office by President Bola Tinubu.
The committee had during a session it had with the federal government’s economic team last week, sought the removal of the CAC registrar from office by President Tinubu for allegedly refusing to appear before it repeatedly.
However, rescission of the resolution by the committee at another session on Monday followed remorsefulness shown by the CAC Registrar before it and a motion moved to that effect by Senator Jibrin Isa ( Kogi East ) and seconded by Senator Nasir Musa Zango Daura (Katsina North).
Before the soft landing offered the CAC Registrar, the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Sani Musa had earlier taken him up for evading appearances in the past and pointedly told him that the committee was not happy with him.
” This committee is not happy with you for your persistent refusal to appear before it in the past or for sending junior officers to it. That’s not acceptable. The Constitution grants us oversight powers over all revenue-generating agencies. At our last sitting, the committee recommended your removal, but you appeared shortly after our pronouncement. We want an explanation.”, he said.
In his response Magaji tendered an unreserved apology and vowed that such would never happen again as according to him, a liaison office has been created by him to prevent communication breakdown that made him fail appearances in the past.
“Mr. Chairman, I sincerely apologise to the committee. I was returning from Lagos and asked my team to inform the committee ahead of time. Unfortunately, I arrived late.
“We have now created a dedicated liaison office to handle interactions with the National Assembly. I assure you this will not happen again. I take full responsibility and hold this committee in high esteem” he said.
Apparently satisfied with the remorse shown, members of the committee one after the other, sought forgiveness for him.
First to make the plea was Senator Diket Plang ( Plateau Central ), who said he had known the CAC Registrar for many years as a very respectful, dedicated, and patriotic Nigerian and not a disrespecter of a very important institution like the Senate or the National Assembly.
Similarly, Senators Ned Nwoko ( Delta North) and Jibrin Isa ( Kogi East), pleaded for forgiveness for the CAC Registrar, and also Senator Orji Uzor Kalu ( Abia North) who in his plea, sought the withdrawal of the motion incidentally moved by him last week.
The Chairman of the committee accordingly put the motion on withdrawal of the earlier motion to voice votes by members of the committee which they all voted for, affirmatively.
The committee however stood down reports on the 2024 and 2025 budgets presentation made by the CAC Registrar for allegedly being scanty and told to make a re-presentation on Thursday this week.
The Nigerian Senate has asked President Bola Tinubu to immediately remove the Registrar General of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Hussaini Ishaq Magaji from his office for ignoring several invitations to appear before the Legislature.
The Senate, through its Committee on Finance had last week Thursday, accused Magaji of failing to honour several Legislative’s invitations to account for the finances of his agency.
Committee Chairman Sani Musa accused Magaji of disregarding summons and instead sending junior officers to represent him during budget defense sessions.
Allegations of financial discrepancies also prompted the Senate’s strong call against the CAC leadership, and particularly Magaji.
Magaji was appointed to this position by President Tinubu on October 13, 2023.
As the Registrar-General of the CAC, Magaji is expected to work for the development and regulation of corporate affairs in Nigeria.