By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The management of Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has expressed its intention to conduct a forensic audit into the affairs of Oando Plc.
This follows the premilinary outcome of its investigations into the two petitions filed against the oil firm by Alhaji Dahiru Barau Mangal and Ansbury Incorporated.
Both petitioners had alleged gross financial misconducts against Oando Plc led by Mr Adewale Tinubu.
A statement issued today by the capital market regulator said the forensic audit became necessary as a result of its findings from the probe, which it described as “weighty.”
According to SEC, after its comprehensive review of the petitions against Oando Plc, it found out that the company breached provisions of the Investments & Securities Act 2007, and also breached the SEC Code of Corporate Governance for Public Companies.
The capital market regulator further said it “suspected insider dealing,” found out that “related party transactions (were) not conducted at arm’s length,” and found “discrepancies in the shareholding structure of Oando Plc. Etc.”
The statement signed by the management of SEC said, “The commission’s primary role as apex regulator of the Nigerian capital market is to regulate the market and protect the investing public.
“The commission notes that the above findings are weighty and therefore needs to be further investigated.
“After due consideration, the commission believes that it is necessary to conduct a forensic audit into the affairs of Oando Plc. This is pursuant to the statutory duties of the Commission as provided in section 13(k), (n), (r) and (aa) of the ISA 2017.
“To ensure the independence and transparency of the exercise, the Forensic Audit shall be conducted by a consortium of experts made up of auditors, lawyers, stockbrokers and registrars.
“To further ensure that the interests of all shareholders of Oando Plc are preserved during the course of the exercise, the commission directed the Nigerian Stock Exchange to place the shares of Oando Plc on technical suspension.
“However in view of the fact that it is not technologically feasible for the Exchange to effect a technical suspension except after 48 hours, the Commission directed as follows; Effective for forty-eight (48) hours from today, 18 October 2017 to 20 October 2017, The Nigerian Stock Exchange should implement a full suspension in the trading of the shares of Oando Plc; and Effective from 20 October 2017 and until further directive, The Exchange should implement a technical suspension in the shares of Oando Plc.”
Adedapo Adesanya