IGP mandated to bring CAC Registrar General before Senate committee

The Senate Committee on Finance has directed the Inspector General of Police to ensure the appearance of Ishaq Hussain Magaji, the Registrar General of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), within 24 hours. Expressing dissatisfaction on Wednesday, the committee chairman, Sani Musa, conveyed his displeasure as Magaji ignored the committee’s invitation for the third consecutive time. The Registrar General was summoned to provide clarification on discrepancies observed by the committee in the CAC’s 2024 budget.

Despite confirmations from four senior officials of the commission, who acknowledged receiving multiple invitations, they were unable to offer reasons for Magaji’s absence before the panel. Senator Bello Mandiya expressed frustration at the CAC boss’s repeated disregard for the committee, emphasizing the significance of his appearance to defend the budget.

Senator Abdul Ningi urged the CAC officials not to return without the Registrar General, emphasizing the need for Magaji to face scrutiny and explain the agency’s financial activities. Committee chairman Sani Musa noted that the Registrar General had disregarded the committee’s instructions despite earlier discussions about discrepancies in revenue generation and expenditure by the Corporate Affairs Commission.

Musa highlighted the committee’s previous request for the CAC to address observed discrepancies, but Magaji failed to provide the necessary documents. Frustrated by the lack of cooperation, Musa invoked Section 89(2) and mandated the Inspector General of Police to compel Magaji’s appearance before the Senate Committee on Finance within the next 24 hours.