By CHIBUZOR EMEJOR, Abuja

The Corporate Affairs Commission said it 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
in Lagos Island, said the measure was to further boost the present administration’s fight against corruption.

Abubakar who stated that recently the Commission had been recording a high incidence of applications with names that were closely similar to existing names, 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 the 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, adding 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 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 would deploy a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system with a view to resolving customer challenges in 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.

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 organise the forum and urged it to sustain the tempo.

He, therefore, stressed the need for the Commission to ensure regular and continuous engagement with stakeholders as well as enhance its communication strategy for the benefit of both parties.

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. (Saturday Independent)

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