In a significant development, a Federal High Court in Lafia, Nasarawa State, has convicted and sentenced 21 companies for allegedly operating financial investment businesses without valid licences from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). According to Premium Times Nigeria, the court convictions follow an arraignment by the Abuja Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on charges of violating section 57 (1) of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act of 2020. The EFCC accused these convicted firms of illegally engaging in investment activities without a license, a practice that contravenes regulations aimed at protecting investors from fraudulent schemes.
Each of the companies has been ordered to pay a fine of N30 million. However, it is important to note that the specifics of their offences and the evidence presented by the EFCC have not been disclosed publicly.
This conviction serves as a strong warning to other entities operating in the investment sector without proper authorization. The Nigerian government has vowed to crack down on illegal activities in the financial sector, especially those that prey on unsuspecting investors.
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