Inside CAC’s fight against blackmail: Registrar-General Magaji dismisses false allegations

The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has pushed back strongly against what it described as a coordinated campaign of intimidation and falsehood targeted at its Registrar-General, Hussaini Magaji, insisting it will not be derailed from its reform agenda and commitment to due process.

In a statement signed by the management on Thursday in Abuja, the Commission said recent allegations circulating against Magaji were baseless and politically motivated attempts to discredit ongoing reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

“The attention of the Corporate Affairs Commission has been drawn to recent acts of intimidation and baseless allegations targeted at the Registrar-General,” the statement read. “Let it be clearly stated that the Registrar-General will not succumb to any form of blackmail, distraction, or pressure in the discharge of his lawful responsibilities.”

According to the Commission, those behind the smear campaign are individuals unsettled by Magaji’s insistence on integrity and transparency in corporate regulation. It maintained that the CAC’s current reforms have introduced stricter oversight, curbed loopholes, and enhanced efficiency in the nation’s business registration system.

Reaffirming its zero-tolerance stance, the Commission urged anyone with credible evidence of wrongdoing to approach relevant authorities instead of spreading unfounded claims. “The Commission therefore urges individuals or groups with credible evidence of corruption or wrongdoing against the Registrar-General to forward such petitions to the appropriate anti-corruption agencies,” the statement said. “This is to ensure proper investigation and prosecution rather than resorting to falsehood and smear campaigns.”

The CAC warned that the use of misinformation to malign public officials could undermine institutional integrity and distract genuine reform efforts. It emphasized that Magaji remains focused on implementing far-reaching changes that would strengthen corporate governance and improve Nigeria’s ease of doing business ranking.

“Let it be known that the Commission will continue to operate in line with due process, transparency, and integrity in the interest of the Nigerian people,” the management reiterated.

The statement added that under Magaji’s leadership, the Commission has prioritized accountability and digital transformation aimed at simplifying business registration and ensuring faster service delivery to entrepreneurs nationwide.

Reaffirming its determination, the CAC concluded that it “would not be deterred by any attempt to malign its leadership,” stressing that its focus remains on advancing reforms to promote a more efficient, transparent, and business-friendly corporate environment in Nigeria.