Delayed Promotions, Irregular Recruitment: CAC Staff Call Out Registrar-General Magaji

Some aggrieved staff members of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) have accused their Registrar-General, Ishaq Hussein Magaji, SAN, of abuse of office and mishandling staff welfare issues.

The allegations include Magaji’s inability to constitute a new Board, delayed promotions, and conducting new recruitment without following due process or Federal Character Commission guidelines.

According to sources within the CAC, the last staff promotion exercise was carried out in 2020, despite some staff members claiming to have scored above the cut-off marks. The promotion exercises were reportedly captured in the budget, while the recruitment exercise was not advertised or budgeted for.

One senior official alleged that the Human Resources department failed to properly advise the Registrar on welfare policy and other issues, such as the timely payment of housing, leave, and other allowances. The official also claimed that the Registrar had started new employment, with over 100 new graduates, mostly from his home state of Bauchi, being hired without representation from the South West or North Central regions.

In response to the allegations, Registrar-General Ishaq Hussein Magaji denied any wrongdoing, insisting that the Commission followed due process and obtained relevant approvals before embarking on the recruitment exercise. Magaji stated that as a Senior Advocate, he would not flout established regulations and procedures in the line of duty.

Regarding staff welfare, Magaji maintained that the Commission did not owe any staff salaries or allowances, stating that they have been paid up to April. He further explained that the Commission follows President Buhari’s directive to seek parent ministry approval for matters requiring board approval.

Magaji defended the recruitment exercise, stating that it was aimed at enhancing the Commission’s customer service base and had the Federal Character Commission team and the Ministry of Trade and Investment in attendance. He also highlighted recent efforts to improve staff welfare, including addressing leave allowances, ensuring the health insurance scheme is working well, and spending N400 million on operational vehicles to ease staff movement.

As the allegations and denials continue, the situation at the Corporate Affairs Commission remains tense, with staff members expressing their grievances and the Registrar-General maintaining his position on the issues raised.