The Registrar-General of the Corporate Affairs Commission, Hussaini Magaji, on Monday tendered an unreserved apology to the Senate Committee on Finance for failing to honour previous invitations.
Magaji’s appearance followed a resolution by lawmakers urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to remove him from office over what they described as his “repeated refusal” to respond to legislative summons. The resolution had been moved during a budget defence session by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, representing Abia North, recommending that Magaji be reported to the President for immediate removal.
Senator Sani Musa, chairman of the committee and representative of Niger East, had accused Magaji of consistently ignoring invitations from the National Assembly, raising concerns about executive-legislative relations.
During Monday’s session, Magaji explained that his earlier absences were due to miscommunication within the commission.
“I sincerely tender my apology. Sir, it is not our conduct; and it’s not my conduct. I hold this committee in high esteem,” he said.
He added that the commission has since established a dedicated liaison office to ensure proper communication with the National Assembly. “This is my undertaking, sir, it will never happen again,” Magaji stated.
Following his apology, several senators acknowledged his remorse. Senator Diket Plang appealed for another chance for Magaji to correct the lapses, while former Senate Leader Yahaya Abdullahi cautioned that legislative summons must never be ignored.
Subsequently, a motion to rescind the committee’s earlier recommendation for Magaji’s removal, moved by Senator Isah Jibrin and seconded by Senator Nasir Zangon, was unanimously adopted.
Chairman Musa reaffirmed the constitutional authority of the National Assembly, stating: “The National Assembly is above everyone else. The Constitution empowers this institution to hold the President and other officeholders accountable, including impeachment if necessary. No one should take this committee for granted.”