In a firm response to escalating online allegations, Nigeria’s Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has publicly reaffirmed its foundational commitment to transparency and the sanctity of the nation’s corporate registry. The statement, issued by management in Abuja on Saturday, December 13, 2025, serves as a critical defense of its regulatory mandate amid a digital age where social media claims can rapidly erode public trust.
The catalyst for this official communication was a viral social media report accusing the Commission of illegally tampering with the records of Jonah Capital, an Abuja-based firm. The CAC categorically labeled these allegations as “false, misleading and a deliberate attempt at blackmail.” This scenario highlights a growing challenge for regulatory bodies worldwide: combating misinformation while maintaining an open and accountable posture.
At the heart of the Commission’s rebuttal is the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020, the governing legislation for corporate entities in Nigeria. The CAC emphasized that all its actions are strictly guided by CAMA 2020, which provides the legal framework for its operations. Specifically, Section 868 of the Act empowers the Commission to “correct, rectify and regularise company records where illegality, falsification or non-compliance is established.” This is not a discretionary power but a statutory duty designed to cleanse the registry of inaccuracies that could harm the business ecosystem.
The CAC provided deeper context on its corrective processes, which are often misunderstood by the public. These interventions are not clandestine edits but transparent procedures conducted in real-time and in line with due process. Any review or adjustment of a company’s record is triggered by verifiable documentation—such as court orders, regulatory findings, or authenticated petitions from stakeholders—and is subject to a clear audit trail. This process is fundamentally protective, aiming to safeguard investors, creditors, and the integrity of the Nigerian business environment by ensuring that the public registry reflects lawful and accurate information.
“The statutory responsibility to correct anomalies in company records is central to our mandate,” the Commission stated, framing this duty as a cornerstone for ensuring fairness, equity, and confidence in Nigeria’s corporate regulatory framework. By rectifying errors or fraudulent filings, the CAC prevents scenarios where legitimate shareholders are disenfranchised or creditors are misled by inaccurate data, thereby upholding market integrity.
In a pointed declaration, the CAC asserted that “the era of unlawful alteration of company records was long over.” This statement implicitly references past governance challenges and positions the current administration under CAMA 2020 as a break from that history. The Commission stressed it “does not act capriciously nor derive any benefit from record corrections,” aiming to dispel notions of malicious or profit-driven motives. Its ultimate resolve is to continue discharging its responsibilities without fear or favour, undeterred by what it perceives as attempts to undermine lawful regulatory actions.
This incident underscores a vital lesson for businesses and the public: understanding the distinction between unlawful tampering and lawful, transparent rectification is key. For stakeholders, the CAC’s transparency pledge is best verified by the audit trails and documented due process it references. The Commission’s firm stance serves as a reminder that a dynamic and accurate corporate registry, maintained within the bounds of the law, is a public asset essential for economic growth and investment security.
Edited by Sandra Umeh
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