2024 budget: Senate orders IGP to produce CAC boss, Magaji within 24hrs

Magaji SAN

 

Following his continued refusal to defend the 2024 budget estimates, the Senate Committee on Finance has mandated the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun to compel the appearance of the Registrar General of the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC, Ishaq Hussain Magaji, SAN, before it within 24 hours.

Chairman of the committee, Senator Sani Musa (APC Niger East) and his members expressed anger when the Registrar General shunned the committee’s invitation for the third time on Wednesday.

It was gathered that the CAC boss, who was expected to explain some financial discrepancies observed in the commission’s budget before the committee is allegedly being scared to face the panel members.

The four senior officials of the commission having confirmed several letters of invitation by the Clerk of the Senate Committee on Finance could not explain reasons for their boss’ absence before the panel.

Angered by the development, members of the committee called for punitive measures against the Registrar General to serve as deterrent to others.

Senator Bello Mandiya (APC Katsina South), expressed frustration at Magaji’s disdain for the committee, wondering what he was hiding that makes him to be scared.

He said: “Thank you Mr. Chairman, I am Senator Bello Mandiya representing Katsina South Senatorial District. I think, it’s disrespect by the Registrar General of the Corporate Affairs Commission to shun this Committee for the third time.

“Even the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria appears before us to present a budget.

“Who is Registrar General of CAC that cannot appear before us?”

Also racting, Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP Bauchi North) advised the CAC officials not to come back without their boss’, urging them to let the CAC face the heat and explain how they spend money in the agency.

“Mr Chairman, it is imperative to understand where they are coming from that this is not the first time they are appearing before the committee.

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“There was a deliberate discussion with you that there was discrepancies in revenue generation and expenditure by the Corporate Affairs Commission and we said, the Registrar General should be here.

“Yet you are here and you probably told him that you can do the job. Even if you can do the job, this job is not for you please. Don’t take the bullet that is meant for him,” he stressed.

In his ruling after reactions by some of the committee members, the chairman, Senator Sani Musa said: “With all sense of humility, the Corporate Affairs Registrar General has disregarded this Committee.

“Distinguished colleagues, Corporate Affairs Commission was present when we treated MTEF/FSP and the Director of Finance were here. We saw discrepancies and we told you to go and come back.

“You have your book keepers; you have your records and we asked you to go and tidy up and report back, but you never did.

“I have cause to tell the Secretariat to send you a letter, you appear here. When you came, you said the Registrar General just felt ill, I excused you expecting you are going to come back with documents requested.

“You Know what the financial regulation of this country is. I had cause to tell the Committee Secretariat to write you again and you are here without the RG.

“You are the custodian of finances of the Corporate Affairs Commission and there are discrepancies.

“How many entities are registered in this country. How many? How much were you reporting there and you are taking us with levity.

“I am invoking Section 89(2) mandating the Inspector General of Police to compel appearance of the Registrar General of the Corporate Affairs Commission before the Senate Committee on Finance within 24 hours.”