Oando Shares Rise 10% as Technical Suspension is Lifted, SEC Explains Prolonged Suspension

The shares of Oando Plc rose 10 per cent yesterday on the first full trading day after the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) lifted the 176 days technical suspension placed on the stock. The appreciation in the share price, which was due to high demand by investors, came just as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) explained that the prolonged suspension was because there were lawsuits initiated by parties against the planned forensic audit of the company. The SEC, in a statement, said: “Share of Oando Plc were placed on technical suspension in October 2017 upon the announcement of forensic audit which aimed to protect investors as a short term measure. Suspensions are typically intended for a short period to ensure market stability and thereafter lifted to allow market dictates.”

“However, the suspension of the shares of Oando Plc was prolonged due to several litigations by Oando and other shareholders contesting the propriety of the forensic audit and technical suspension. All litigations have now been withdrawn, the independent forensic audit by Deloitte is ongoing and the preliminary result is expected.”

NSE had initially lifted the suspension on Wednesday based on a request SEC but later re-imposed the suspension on same day.

Explaining the reversal, the NSE said subsequent to the lift- ing of the technical suspension, on 11 April 2018, it received another communication from SEC to maintain the status quo prior to the Commission’s letter of 9 April 2018, (the technical suspension of trading in Oando’s shares.)

“In the overall interest of investors in Nigeria’s capital markets, and following consultation with the Commission please be advised that at the start of trading tomorrow (Thursday), 12 April 2018, trading in Oando’s shares will resume without any impediment in price movement consistent with the NSE’s market structure.

And when trading resumed, the stock recorded the highest price rise of 10 per cent, from N5.99 to close at N6.60 per share.