The Senate Committee on Finance on Monday reversed its earlier recommendation that President Bola Tinubu remove Hussaini Magaji, Â the Registrar-General of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), from office.
The committee had, at its previous sitting last Thursday, asked the President to sack the CAC boss over his repeated failure to honour invitations to appear before lawmakers. The resolution was adopted during an engagement with the Federal Government’s economic team.
However, at a fresh session on Monday, the panel rescinded the decision after Magaji appeared before the committee and offered what members described as a heartfelt apology.
The motion to reverse the earlier resolution was moved by Isa Jibrin (Kogi East) and seconded by Nasir Daura (Katsina North).
Before granting him reprieve, the committee chairman openly criticised the Registrar for what he termed a pattern of disregard for legislative summons.
“This committee is not happy with you for your persistent refusal to appear before it or for delegating junior officers in your place. That is unacceptable,” the chairman said.
He reminded the CAC chief that the National Assembly is constitutionally empowered to exercise oversight over revenue-generating agencies, adding that the committee had already recommended his removal before he eventually showed up.
“At our last sitting, the committee recommended your removal, but you appeared shortly after our pronouncement. We want an explanation,” he added.
In his response, Magaji offered an unreserved apology and assured lawmakers that the situation would not recur.
He explained that communication lapses contributed to his earlier absences and disclosed that the Commission had now established a dedicated liaison office to manage relations with the National Assembly.
“Mr Chairman, I sincerely apologise to the committee. I was returning from Lagos and had directed my team to notify the committee in advance, but I arrived late,” he said.
“We have now created a liaison office to coordinate all interactions with the National Assembly to prevent any communication breakdown. I take full responsibility and hold this committee in the highest regard.”
Apparently satisfied with his explanation and contrition, several senators spoke in his defence.
Diket Plang (Plateau Central) described the Registrar as a respectful and committed public servant who would not deliberately undermine the authority of the Senate or the National Assembly.
Ned Nwoko (Delta North) and Jibrin (Kogi East) also appealed for leniency.
In the same vein, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia North), who had originally moved the motion calling for Magaji’s removal, urged colleagues to withdraw the recommendation.
Following the appeals, the committee chairman put the motion for rescission to a voice vote, and members unanimously agreed to reverse the earlier decision.
Despite the reprieve, the committee expressed dissatisfaction with the CAC’s presentations on its 2024 and 2025 budget proposals, describing them as inadequate.
Lawmakers consequently stepped down consideration of the reports and directed the Registrar to return on Thursday with a more detailed submission.
