The Senate Committee on Finance has reversed its earlier decision to recommend the removal of the Registrar-General of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Hussaini Magaji (SAN), after he appeared before the panel and tendered an apology for failing to honour previous invitations.
The Committee, chaired by Senator Sani Musa (APC, Niger North), had last week threatened to advise President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to relieve Magaji of his duties over his repeated absence. The panel had cited his failure to account for the Commission’s 2025 budget performance and defend its 2026 budget proposal.
At Monday’s resumed hearing, Senator Musa reminded the CAC management that legislative oversight of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies remains a constitutional responsibility of the National Assembly. He described Magaji’s earlier absence as a breach of constitutional provisions and a direct affront to parliamentary authority.
“We resolved to send a memo to the Presidency recommending your removal from office because of your continued evasion of the Committee’s invitations,” Musa told the Registrar-General.
Magaji, however, offered what he described as an unreserved apology, insisting that his absence was not deliberate but caused by circumstances beyond his control.
“Mr Chairman and distinguished members, I hold this Committee in high regard. My absence was due to circumstances beyond my control,” he said, explaining that he had been travelling from Lagos and arrived too late to honour the invitation. He also acknowledged a communication gap between his office and the National Assembly, noting that efforts were underway to resolve it.
Following his apology, several lawmakers appealed for leniency. Senator Diket Plang (APC, Plateau Central) urged the Committee to grant the CAC boss a second chance, while former Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi, supported the plea but cautioned that ignoring legislative summons must not be condoned.
The matter was subsequently put to a voice vote after a motion moved by Senator Isah Jibrin (APC, Kogi East) and seconded by Senator Ned Nwoko (APC, Delta North).
The Committee unanimously voted to accept Magaji’s apology, effectively withdrawing its earlier threat to recommend his removal from office.