BGL Suspension still subsists – SEC

By David Agba
Abuja

Following the publication of the BGL 50 Index in a national newspaper, not Blueprint, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has insisted that the suspension of BGL Plc, its subsidiaries and sponsored individuals from all capital market activities still subsists.
SEC in a notice it posted on its official website, said that the Commission dissociates itself from the “BGL 50 Index” publication.

According to the notice, “The attention of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“The Commission”) has been drawn to a “Market Index” titled “BGL 50”, currently being sponsored by BGL Plc in Thisday Newspapers. This is to remind the general public that the suspension of BGL Plc, its subsidiaries and sponsored individuals from all capital market activities still subsists.
“The Commission hereby dissociates itself from the “BGL 50 Index” publication.
SEC in May 2015 announced the suspension of BGL Group Plc from all capital market operations.

The SEC also said that  Mr. Albert Okumagba,  who is the Group Managing Director of BGL Group, should cease to be a registered Sponsored Individual with the commission following the withdrawal of the registration of BGL Plc as a  capital market operator.
“He is therefore no longer entitled to carryout capital market activities,” SEC declared.
According to the commission, the decision to suspend BGL was taken after the commission’s Executive Management Committee meeting held  on May 19, 2015, where it considered  the report of a detailed investigation into the various complaints received from investors against subsidiaries of BGL Group.

SEC directed that “BGL Asset Management Limited, BGL Capital Limited and BGL Securities Limited be suspended from all  capital market activities all Sponsored Individuals of BGL Asset Management Limited, BGL Capital Limited and BGL Securities Limited whose particulars are contained in the Commission’s record as at December 2014 be suspended from performing any capital market  activity.”