Senate Finance Committee Reverses Call for Removal of CAC Registrar-General
The Senate Committee on Finance has withdrawn its earlier resolution urging President Bola Tinubu to remove Hussaini Magaji as Registrar-General of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). The reversal followed a personal appearance and apology by Magaji during a committee hearing on Tuesday.
The committee had last week demanded Magaji’s removal, citing his repeated failure to appear before it for oversight sessions, often sending junior officers instead. During Tuesday’s session, Committee Chairman Sani Musa (APC, Niger East) reprimanded Magaji for this persistent disregard, stating that the committee’s constitutional oversight authority over revenue-generating agencies like the CAC must be respected.
In response, Magaji offered an unreserved apology. He explained that a prior absence was due to his return from Lagos, with his team failing to communicate the delay effectively. He then announced a significant operational change: the establishment of a dedicated liaison office within the CAC specifically to manage all communications and interactions with the National Assembly.
“I sincerely apologise to the committee. I take full responsibility and hold this committee in high esteem,” Magaji said, assuring that the situation would not recur.
Following his explanation and the announced procedural reform, several senators advocated for leniency. A motion to rescind the previous removal recommendation, moved by Senator Jibrin Isa (Kogi East) and seconded by Senator Nasir Daura (Katsina North), was put to a voice vote and adopted unanimously.
The Corporate Affairs Commission is Nigeria’s primary agency for the registration and regulation of companies, business names, and other incorporated entities. The committee’s initial action and subsequent reversal underscore the ongoing dynamics of legislative oversight and executive compliance within Nigeria’s federal structure. The episode concludes with Magaji retained in his position but under a renewed directive to ensure prompt and high-level engagement with parliamentary committees.
