By Aduragbemi Omiyale
FBN Holdings Plc has changed its registrars and it is now Meristem Registrars Limited, replacing the long-time First Registrars and Investors Services Limited.
This is coming at a time the company is battling with shareholding structure, especially with the news that oil mogul, Mr Femi Otedola, has acquired over 5 per cent shares of the group.
Some hours after news went viral that the former chairman of the defunct Forte Oil Plc has become the single largest shareholder in the bank, a statement was released, stating that Mr Tunde Hassan-Odukale has a 5.36 per cent stake in the firm, more than Mr Otedola.
This issue caught the attention of the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited, which queried FBN Holdings to explain in detail the exact shareholding structure of the company, especially when the audited financial statements of the firm in the first half of 2021 did not indicate that Mr Odukale had up to 5 per cent.
The firm responded, stating that Mr Hassan-Odukale, its chairman, controls 5.36 per cent, while Mr Otedola only has 5.04 per cent with his recent acquisition.
In the midst of this controversy, the board of FBN Holdings announced that it was changing its registrar, which is supposed to have the register of members of the company.
“The board approved the appointment of Meristem Registrars Limited as the new registrars to take over the register of members of FBN Holdings Plc in replacement of First Registrars and Investors Services Limited, with effect from December 1, 2021,” a statement signed by the company secretary, Seye Kosoko, stated.
