Apparently piqued by the refusal of the Registrar General of Corporate Affairs Commission, Garba Lawal
to honour invitation for the third time, the senate panel on finance has asked the Inspector General of Police to compel his appearance before it within 24 hours.
The committee’s Chairman, Sani Musa could not hold his displeasure as he has to involve the police.
Lawal was expected to appear to defend the Commission’s 2024 budget, but some financial discrepancies were spotted by the Committee in the book of accounts submitted to it and needed further clarifications, a development that may have scared the CAC boss from appearing before the panel.
The four senior officials of the Corporate Affairs Commission having confirmed several letter of invitation by the Clerk of the Senate Committee on Finance could not explain the registrar’s refusal to appear before the panel.
Before Senator Musa’s remark, Senator Ifeanyi Uba called for punitive measures against the RG to serve as deterrent to others.
Senator Bello Mandiya representing Katsina South Senatorial District expressed frustration at the Lawal’s disdain for the Committee, wondering what he was hiding that makes him to be so afraid.
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 appeared before us to present a budget.
“Who is Registrar General of CAC that cannot appear before us?”
Reacting, Senator Abdul Ningi advised the CAC officials not to come back without their boss, urging them to let the CAC face the heat and explain how they spent money in the agency.
Ningi said: “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.
“There was a deliberate discussion with you that there were 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”.
“In his ruling after reactions by the Committee members, 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 fell 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 Registrar General
“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.”