Investigations reveal that the Registrar-General of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Ishaq Hussaini Magaji, SAN, allegedly funneled kickbacks from federal contracts through his brother-in-law, Ali Mubarak Abba.
Documents obtained by SaharaReporters show that Star of Stars Integrated Services (BN 7146430) was registered under the CAC on September 20, 2023, with Ali Mubarak Abba listed as the sole proprietor, less than a month before Magaji assumed office on October 13, 2023.
Sources familiar with the matter confirmed that Abba is the elder brother of Magaji’s wife, Ummi Abba Ali.
Further checks indicate that on October 3, 2024, Ali Mubarak Abba registered another company, Sparkle of Sparklers Enterprise, which sources say was created as an additional channel for alleged kickbacks tied to contracts awarded under Magaji’s leadership.
₦29 Million Contract and Traced Transfers
A top CAC source disclosed that a media firm known as Black Root Media Network Ltd received a contract worth ₦29 million from the Corporate Affairs Commission for media consultancy services.
According to documents reviewed, a total payment of ₦29,060,189.89 was made to Black Root Media Network Ltd.
“Records reviewed show the following payment: Payment Authority: Corporate Affairs Commission; Beneficiary: Black Root Media Network Ltd; Bank: Providus Bank Plc; Account Number: 0000962940; Voucher Serial No.: 2193; Date: 7 August 2024; Amount: ₦29,060,189.89,” the source said.
The source noted that the payment constituted public funds disbursed by a federal agency under the direct supervision of the Registrar-General.
Subsequent financial movements allegedly traced ₦10,200,000 from the contractor to companies owned by Ali Mubarak Abba.
“On 9 August 2024, ₦5,000,000 was transferred to Star of Stars Integrated Services, Bank: Providus Bank Plc, Account Number: 1304264619.
“On 31 May 2024, ₦5,000,000 was also transferred to Sparkle of Sparklers Enterprise, Bank: Providus Bank Plc, Account Number: 1304264822.
“Additionally, ₦200,000 was deposited into the Sparkle of Sparklers Enterprise account by the proprietor,” the source added.
The total amount allegedly traced to companies owned by the Registrar-General’s brother-in-law stands at ₦10,200,000.
“The pattern observed is clear: public funds contractor, spouse’s family-linked companies, onward movements,” the source stated.
Allegations of Abuse of Office and Account Manipulation
Sources alleged that the Registrar-General indirectly collected gratification through these companies, amounting to abuse of office and diversion of public funds.
Another insider told SaharaReporters that when scrutiny intensified, steps were allegedly taken to obscure the financial trail.
“The bank account of Star of Stars Integrated Services has now been closed. The proprietor removed his BVN from the account,” the source claimed.
A separate source further alleged: “Ishaq has been using Mubarak as a conduit for the kickbacks he receives from CAC. The ₦10 million you saw represents a kickback. However, that is not the end of the story.
“What you should understand is that the money was paid to his brother-in-law as gratification. When he realised that the Star of Stars account had been exposed, he instructed someone to go to the bank to close the account and remove the BVN linked to it.
“If you attempt to send money to the Star of Stars account now, you will receive a message indicating that the account is invalid or unavailable, possibly due to a Know Your Customer audit, because the BVN has been removed. However, the Sparkle of Sparklers account is still active.”
The sources added that as of December 2025, the entities were operational, with one of the accounts allegedly opened after Magaji assumed office and purportedly linked to mining-related activities that had yet to be officially declared.
“When he realised his actions could be considered misconduct, he allegedly arranged for the Star of Stars account to be closed and the BVN removed. Now, attempts to return money to that account fail, showing that the account is no longer operational,” the source said.
When SaharaReporters contacted Ishaq, he said: “These are not facts; they are not true. Nothing is linked to me.
“Do I know anyone by that name? I don’t know him. And if you check the company, do I have any link to it or have I done anything with it? If someone has a separate business, does that mean he is linked to me? That is my response for now,” he said.
“I am seeing the name you mentioned, that he allegedly collected money and gave me. Do I know him? I don’t know him. And the company too, do I know the company? I don’t know the company you mentioned.
“So why would someone be raising allegations and associating them with me? For what reason?”