SEC suspends trading on Oando shares over alleged financial mismanagement

Nigeria’s apex capital market regulator, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has directed the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) to suspend trading in the shares of Oando Plc.

The NSE, in a notification of the suspension, stated that SEC directed that the NSE should impose full suspension on the shares of Oando for 48 hours with effect from today October 18, 2017 to October 20, 2017.

Also, with effect from October 20, 2017 and until further directive, the Exchange should implement a technical suspension on the shares of Oando Plc.

A full suspension is the halt of trading activities on a listed security for a period. A technical suspension is the interruption of price movement in a listed security for a period so that any dealings in the securities which occur during the period of the suspension will not result in any change in price, which change may have occurred had the suspension not been implemented.

In the 48 hour period commencing today, there will be no trading in the shares of Oando Plc. Thereafter, effective October 20, 2017, investors will be able to trade in Oando’s shares but such trading will not result in any movement in the price of the shares.

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Oando has been undergoing investigation by SEC over allegations of poor corporate governance and financial mismanagement.

It was a battle of wits at the annual general meeting (AGM) of Oando recently in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State as various shareholders’ groups raised contending voices about the affairs of the indigenous oil and gas group.

While some shareholders’ groups rooted for the change of management and resignation of the Group Chief Executive Officer of Oando, Mr Wale Tinubu, others rose in support of the current management against what they described as hostile takeover bid and campaign to take over what the management had labored to build over nearly two decades.

The board of directors and management of Oando however succeeded in pushing through the proceedings of the annual general meeting amidst protests from many shareholders’ groups.

The external auditors to Oando, Ernst & Young, meanwhile left a major scar on the records of the company as they raised concerns over the ability of the company to continue as a going concern.

“We drew attention to note 45 in the financial statements, which indicates that the company reported a comprehensive loss for the year of N33.9 billion ( 2015: loss N56.6 billion) and as at that date, it’s current assets exceeded current liabilities by N14.6 billion (2015: N32.8 billion net current liability). The group recorded a comprehensive income of N112.4 billion for the year ended December 31, 2016 (2015: loss N37.8 billion) and as at that date, its current liability exceeded current assets by N263.8 billion (2015: N260.4 billion). As stated in the notes, these conditions, along with other matters, indicate that a material uncertainty exist that may cast significant doubt on the company (and Group’s) ability to continue as a going concern,” Ernst & Young stated.

With placards, some group of shareholders stormed the meeting demanding for the resignation of Tinubu. The protesters whose aim was to stop the AGM from holding accused Tinubu of mismanagement and lack of full disclosure.

Tinubu, in his response, said that the protests were uncalled for as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) had approved that the AGM hold after examining the petition written by two shareholders.

He called on shareholder to have faith in the company as management is doing what it can to turn the company around.

According to the leader of protesting shareholders under the aegis of “Oando Shareholders’ Solidarity Group”, Mr. Francis Michael, they were protesting in order to change the management of the company over gross mismanagement and abuse of corporate governance.

According to him, they have read several reports on the gross mismanagement of Oando by the present management of the company.

However, some other shareholders demanded that the management reconcile with the aggrieved stakeholders so as not to kill the company.

According the National Coordinator of Progressive Shareholders Association of Nigeria (PSAN), Mr Boniface Okezie, reconciliation provided a better way to resolve the disputes between the major stakeholders in the company.

Ansbury Investment Incorporated had petitioned SEC citing gross abuse and mismanagement by the management of Oando. Two petitioners had alleged gross abuse of corporate governance and financial mismanagement. The petitioners, Alhaji Dahiru Mangal and Ansbury Inc, further requested a postponement of the company’s 40th Annual General pending the close of the SEC investigation.

However on conclusion of its initial finding, the SEC saw no material evidence that would warrant a postponement of the AGM, further reiterating the company’s position that the petitions lacked merit.

Mr Adeleke Oladimeji, a shareholder of Oando, expressed concern on how media reports are gradually eroding shareholders’ investment in the company. He explained that the media were sub-consciously doing more damage than good to the investment of many Nigerians by reporting news without verification from parties invoiced.

Another shareholder, Mrs. Bisi Bakare, advised that shareholders resolve their disputes with the company in private to avoid unnecessary sensationalism which would in turn result in loss of money for the company and shareholders.

Shareholders voted unanimously to all resolutions, expressing confidence in the management team, led by the Group Chief Executive Officer, Wale Tinubu, and retaining the company’s board of directors.

Shareholders requested a quick resolution to the issues with the petitioners to enable Oando’ management focus on building the brand.

Speaking on the petitions, Tinubu said that as a reputable company, the company’s approach is not to respond to every allegation in the media as allegations need to be delivered to the company in a particular format before it can respond.

“The petitioners requested a postponement of our AGM, but we provided the SEC with all the information required and we were cleared to hold the AGM,’’ Tinubu said.

“We reacted to the 2014 fall in oil price by providing a detailed restructuring plan which saw us reduce our overall debt by over 40 per cent. Following the completion of our strategic deleveraging initiatives, we have evolved into a leaner but more focused organization with two core dollar earning entities,” Tinubu said as he assured the shareholders of returns in the near future.

 

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