• Expresses Worries Over Alleged Manipulation of Applications for Company Registration

• Safiu Kehinde

The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has expressed concern over complaints and reports of alleged sharp practices by its staff as it disclosed ongoing investigation over the reports.

This was contained in a statement issued by the commission on Thursday.

Reiterating its commitment in providing prompt and efficient service, the CAC vowed to punish the erring staff flouting its guidelines and standard operating procedures.

It urged members of the public with evidences of the acts to submit them to the Commission.

The CAC held that all applications are treated equally on merit, adding its recent deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to drive the entire registration process and eliminate human interference.

The statement read in part; “The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has noted with concern series of complaints and reports, especially on social media, that applications are being fast-tracked by its officers at the expense of others.

“The Commission does not take the allegations lightly and is therefore investigating them with a view to dealing decisively with anyone involved in flouting its set guidelines and standard operating procedures.

“While the complaints are receiving due attention of the Registrar-General, esteemed customers and the public are therefore enjoined to submit any incriminating evidence against any erring officer, no matter their position, for appropriate disciplinary action.

“We, however, wish to state that all applications are treated equally on merit and on a first-come, first-served basis while some paid services are offered same-day upon request on the Companies Registration Portal (CRP).

“In a bid to further enhance transparency, the Commission has completed arrangements to deploy Artificial Intelligence (Al) to drive the entire registration process and eliminate human interference in line with global best practices.

“The Commission remains committed to providing prompt and efficient service to customers.