Investors kick As SEC Hikes Broker Registration Fee From N500,000 to N5m

…filing fees for proxy materials from N50, 000 to to N500,00

Investors in the Nigerian capital market have kicked against increase in fees payable by quoted companies and other entities to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

The shareholders under the aegis of Issuers and Investors Alternative Dispute Resolution Initiative (IIADRI), in a statement on Monday, regretted that such increases, without due consideration to the economic situation, is capable of stifling growth not just in the capital market but in the economy as a whole.

According to the statement titled “Outrageous increase in fees charged by the Securities and Exchange Commission,” signed by the association’s chairman, Moses Igbrude, and secretary, Sebastian Udoh, some of the fees included filing fees for proxy materials, which was increased to N500,000 from N50,000.

Others are registration of a broker which was increased to N5 million from N500,000 as well as the registration of underwriters and issuing houses that were also increased in similar manner like that of the brokers.

“Issuers and Investors Alternative Dispute Resolution Initiative (IIADRI), considers these increases as not only astronomical, punitive, inconsiderate and outrageous but also an attempt to stifle, repress, suppress, restrain and hinder growth in the country at a time when the economic indices are at the lowest and the enabling environment or infrastructure are almost non-existant,” the statement said.

“As an organization formed to protect the companies and investors , IIADRI, condemns this arbitrary and unilateral increase in fees and calls upon the management of SEC to revert to the statusquo for the interest of shareholders and Nigerian companies, all of whom are currently struggling to break even and their shareholders.”