By: Justice Godfry
A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has restrained the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) from removing Messrs Wale Tinibu and Omamofe Boyo as Oando Plc’s Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) and Deputy Group Chief Executive Officer (DG/CEO), respectively.
Justice Mojisola Olatoregun sitting in Lagos granted an interim injunction following an application by the embattled GCEO and DG/CEO.
The Oando chiefs had applied for enforcement of their fundamental rights.
A copy of the order was obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos.
The court also restrained SEC, its servants or agents from taking any step concerning the commission’s letter dated May 31 in which it barred Tinubu and Boyo from being directors of a public company for five years.
It also restrained the commission from imposing a fine of N91.13 million on Tinubu.
It also ordered that SEC should restrain from all actions on the said letter pending hearing and determination of the applicants’ motion for an interlocutory injunction.
The court also restrained Mr. Mutiu Sunmonu from acting as the Head of Oando’s interim management team pending the hearing and determination of the motion.
It also urged the parties to maintain the status quo ante pending the determination of the motion.
The court adjourned the case until June 14.
NAN reports that SEC on Sunday constituted an interim management team to be headed by Sunmonu for Oando Plc.
In a statement, the commission said that Sunmonu would oversee the affairs of the company and conduct an Extra Ordinary General Meeting on or before July 1, to appoint a new board of directors.
It said that the new board of directors would subsequently select a management team for Oando Plc.
The commission reiterated its commitment to maintaining the integrity of the stock market.
NAN reports that SEC took the decision following the conclusion of a forensic audit of Oando Plc. (NAN)