CAC blocks fraudulent applications for new companies’ registration
The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), has blocked many suspected fraudulent applications aimed at registering new companies similar to existing ones by some Nigerians trying to take over lands that belong to others.
The Registrar General of the Corporate Affairs Commission, Alhaji Garba Abubakar, who stated this at a Customers’/Stakeholders Forum held at Southern Sun Hotel, Lagos Island, said the measure was to further boost the present administration’s fight against corruption.
Alhaji Garba Abubakar, stated that recently the Commission had been recording high incidence of applications with names that were closely similar to existing name, stressed that the Commission would continue to remain vigilant to ensure that fraudsters don’t take over other person’s land(s).
He further stated that the Commission had upon the commencement of the implementation of CAMA, 2020 invoked the provision of Data Privacy and Protection Act to eliminate incidences of presenting cloned signatures to the CAC for registration purposes.
The Registrar General who explained further that in view of the provision and other relevant provisions the Commission discontinued the issuance of certified true copies of some documents added that certified extracts had replaced CTCs in accordance with provisions of the law.
He lamented that in spite of the provisions of the Data Privacy and Protection Act some Customers were still yet to accept the new arrangement which was invoked to amongst others check fraud and fraud related activities in line with provisions of the law.
While speaking further on the ongoing reform initiatives, the Registrar General said the Commission was reviewing its checklist for some services and assured that next year the CAC will deploy a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system with a view to resolving customer challenges real-time.
He used the forum to caution accredited agents against sharing with others access to their CAC Portals to guard against fraud and revealed that the Commission had completed work on the Insolvency framework and will soon expose the regulation to the public via its website.
Alhaji Garba Abubakar, noted with delight the support and cooperation of stakeholders particularly the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Business Law (NBA-SBL) and enjoined Customers to continue to cooperate with the Commission as it continues to improve on its operations to deliver better services in accordance with global best practices.
In a goodwill message, the Vice Chairman of the NBA-SBL, Dr. Adeoye Adefulu applauded the Commission’s resolve to organize the forum and urged it to sustain the tempo.
He therefore stressed the need for the Commission to ensure what he called regular and continuous engagement with Stakeholders as well as enhance its communication strategy for the benefit of both parties.
CAC News reports that other speakers at the interactive session include Ambassador Ayoola Olukanni, Director General Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Monturayo Elegberum from Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Ilori Saburi Daniel from Association of National Accountants (ANAN) and Seun Ileola Olaseni of Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN) Lagos and District.
Meanwhile the Corporate Affairs Commission held a similar forum in Ikeja, Lagos to interact with Customers/Stakeholders based in the Lagos Mainland.
The interactive session which took place at the Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja drew participants from the Nigerian Bar Association, Institute of Chartered Accountants, Association of National Accountants, Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators and Small & Medium Enterprises Development Agency amongst others.
The Participants who were unanimous in their support for the CAC digitization efforts however enjoined the Commission to frequently organize training sessions to optimize user ability on the Companies Registration Portal.
In his remark at the event, the Registrar General/ CEO of the CAC, Alhaji Garba Abubakar, reiterated his commitment to ensure continuous improvement in the Commision’s services to the satisfaction of Customers.
Alhaji Garba Abubakar, who acknowledged that some glitches were noticed upon deployment of the portal however said the upgraded CRP was now gaining traction.
He maintained that over 90 per cent of the Commision’s processes have been made available online and added that the post incorporation module for Limited Liability Partnerships LLPs and Limited Partnerships LPs was due to be deployed soon.
The Registrar General while answering series of questions from the Customers and Stakeholders enjoined them to always read the guidelines for registration available on the CAC website before initiating transactions as well leverage on the Frequently asked questions section, FAQs also available on the Portal in order to avoid encountering hitches in their transactions.
The CAC scribe therefore stated that the Commision would not relent in it oars in the implementation of far reaching reforms and to ensure that Customers/Stakeholders fully understand the workings of the upgraded CRP.
CAC News reports that many participants joined the forum via Zoom and a Technical team from the CAC was on hand to ensure immediate resolution of most customer challenges.
