The Nigerian Senate has reopened its investigation into the leadership crisis at the Equipment Leasing Registration Authority (ELRA), focusing on the alleged unlawful removal of its former Acting CEO, Saidu Njidda.
The crisis began in mid-2023 after the Federal Government dissolved the governing boards of ministries, departments, and agencies, plunging ELRA into an administrative vacuum.
The Northern Alliance Committee petitioned the Senate, alleging Njidda’s removal was unlawful and violated the ELRA Act and public service rules.
The committee’s representative, Prof. Ibrahim Madugu, argued that Njidda’s removal lacked legitimacy and contradicted clear provisions of the ELRA Act.
However, ELRA refuted the allegations, stating that Njidda ceased to be CEO when the board was dissolved in June 2023.
The agency claimed a new board was inaugurated in October 2024, and President Tinubu appointed a substantive Registrar in line with executive powers.
The Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions has directed the Minister of Finance to convene a stakeholders’ meeting to resolve the dispute internally.
The matter has been adjourned for one month to allow for reconciliation, with a warning that a full-scale review will be launched if parties fail to reach an agreement.
