Senate Backs Down on Sack Threat Against CAC Registrar-General

The Senate has stepped back from its earlier decision to recommend the removal of the Registrar-General of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Hussaini Magaji, after he appeared before its Committee on Finance and tendered an apology for failing to honour previous invitations.

Last week, the committee had threatened to ask President Bola Tinubu to relieve Magaji of his duties over his absence at hearings on the commission’s 2025 budget performance and 2026 budget proposal.

At Monday’s session, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Sani Musa, stressed that legislative oversight of ministries, departments and agencies is a constitutional responsibility of the National Assembly. He described the Registrar-General’s earlier failure to appear as unacceptable and a hindrance to the committee’s investigation into the financial activities of the commission.

Musa disclosed that the panel had resolved to forward a memo to the Presidency recommending Magaji’s removal before his eventual appearance.

Responding, the CAC boss apologised to the lawmakers, explaining that his absence was due to an official engagement in Lagos and logistical challenges, not a deliberate attempt to disregard the Senate.

“Distinguished Chairman and members of the committee, I sincerely apologise for my inability to honour the earlier invitation. My absence was due to circumstances beyond my control. I hold the Senate in high esteem and assure you of my full cooperation going forward,” Magaji said.

Senator Dicket Plang appealed to the committee to accept the apology and give the Registrar-General another opportunity to improve relations with the legislature. Former Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi, also supported the plea but warned that ignoring parliamentary summons should not happen again.

The committee subsequently adopted a motion moved by Senator Isah Jibrin and seconded by Senator Ned Nwoko, unanimously accepting Magaji’s apology.

With that decision, the Senate withdrew its earlier threat to recommend his sack, allowing him to remain in office while pledging closer engagement with lawmakers.