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SEC Enforces Closure of the Offices Royal Benchmark

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Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has enforced the closure of the offices of Royal Benchmark in Oyo State.

This is coming only a few days after the SEC took a similar action against another illegal operator based simultaneously in Port Harcourt and Sokoto and on the heels of earlier enforcement actions taken in Lagos and Jos against unregistered and unlawful operators in the course of 2013.

The build up to the enforcement action against Benchmark Nigeria Limited happened by way of reports to the SEC by victims that one Ade Adesina who purported to be the Managing Director/CEO of Royal Benchmark Limited of No. 11, Ademiluyi Close by Bovas Filling Station, Kogi Street, Bodija, Ibadan, Oyo State was collecting monies in various sums from unsuspecting members of the public under the pretence that same monies were being invested in the Capital market

Subsequent thorough investigations conducted by the Commission showed that neither Ade Adesina nor Royal Benchmark Limited was registered to perform any function in the capital market. Their operations therefore ran counter to the prescriptions of the extant law governing operation in the capital market.

According to Arunma Oteh, DG of the SEC, this string of closures by the Commission should send a strong, unequivocal message to illegal fund managers and sundry perpetrators of indiscipline and malfeasance in the capital markets that it is time they sought worthier endeavor. Illegal entities erode the integrity stock in our markets in addition to introducing hapless investor publics to the agony of loss of value. The SEC frowns severely at their existence”.

Apart from sealing up the offices of illegal operators, the Commission has also sanctioned various operators in the capital market.

Members of the public are advised to consult the list of registered capital market operators and approved fund managers which is displayed on the SEC website to ascertain their authenticity before entrusting their hard – earned money to any operator for management.


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E-Financial

Lagos State Appoints MoneyMaster as Payment Partner for “Ounje Eko” Programme

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“Ounje Eko”, the food price discount initiative of the Lagos State Government, has appointed leading payment service bank, MoneyMaster Payment Service Bank Limited (MMPSB), as its collaborator in the bid to ensure ease of payments at the market.

MoneyMaster is one of the Central Bank of Nigeria-licensed Payment Service Banks (PSBs) to promote financial inclusion across Nigeria.

Under the partnership, MMPSB will apply its cutting-edge payment solution to engender easy payment and reconciliation in order to make   the experiences of Lagosians who will be getting their food supplies from the markets pleasurable. Its payment solution is also all-encompassing and ensures real time value to payment destinations.

The mobile bank was appointed as the collection and payment partner for “Ounje Eko” Food Markets programme which is a government initiative serving the five divisions of Lagos State. Consequent on this, MoneyMaster Payment Service Bank will collect payments in 57 LCDAs in the state.

The partnership gives credence to the quality of payment solutions that MoneyMaster is reputed for in its services to its growing business clientele in private and public sectors.

 


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E-Financial

CBN, EFCC Probe Banks, Firms over Alleged Forex Racketeering

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Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), is investigating irregular foreign exchange transactions and forward contracts valued at approximately $2.4 billion.

CBN, EFCC Probe Banks, Firms over Alleged Forex Racketeering

The  inquiry follows an extensive audit by Deloitte, which scrutinized $7 billion in dollar debts accumulated under the bank’s previous leadership.

In the aftermath of the 294th Monetary Policy Committee meeting in Abuja, Yemi Cardoso, governor of CBN,  disclosed to journalists that the investigation, supported by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, among other security bodies, aims to clarify the legitimacy of these FX allocations identified as problematic by the audit.

“It was determined that a number of these transactions did not qualify…they were outright illegal. The law enforcement agencies are now looking into those transactions that as far as we are concerned, are not valid to be paid,” Cardoso detailed, emphasizing the unlawful nature of these forex deals.

The crux of the investigation lies in the audit findings that a significant portion of the scrutinized transactions lacked proper documentation and, in many instances, were deemed outright illegal.

However, the unfolding investigation has raised concerns within the organized private sector, with some entities contemplating legal action against commercial banks for unresolved forex bids.

Despite these tensions, Governor Cardoso reassures that the foreign exchange market remains open and transparent, inviting stakeholders to address their forex needs through the official channels.

Furthermore, Cardoso clarified the distribution of fertilizers to farmers as a one-off measure and not indicative of a shift back to direct interventions by the CBN, underscoring a commitment to strategic, regulatory governance rather than direct market involvement.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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CBN Urges Banks to Expedite Action on Recapitalisation

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Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has directed deposit money banks in the country to expedite action to increase their capital base from the current ₦25bn.

CBN Urges Banks to Expedite Action on Recapitalisation

Olayemi Cardoso, governor of CBN

Olayemi Cardoso, governor of CBN, stated this during the apex bank’s 294th meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) on Tuesday in Abuja, when the MPC hiked the interest rate by 22.75% to 24.75%.

The apex bank chief said the MPC examined developments in the banking sector and expressed satisfaction that the industry remained stable. The committee, however, said to guard against risk, commercial banks in the country should accelerate their recapitalisation efforts.

Cardoso said, “The MPC also reviewed developments in the banking system and noted that the industry remains safe, sound, and stable. The committee thus called on the bank to sustain its surveillance and ensure compliance of banks with existing regulatory and macro-potential guidelines.

“The MPC also enjoined the banks to expedite actions on the recapitalisation of banks to strengthen the system against potential risks in an increasingly globalised world.”

 

 

 

 


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