Nigerian billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola has disclosed plans to sell his 75 per cent direct and indirect shareholdings in Forte Oil.
Forte Oil in a statement signed by its General Counsel, Akinleye Olagbende stated that it has notified the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC and the investing community that its majority shareholder, Mr. Femi Otedola has reached an agreement with the Prudent Energy team, investing through Ignite Investments and Commodities Limited, to divest of his full 75 percent direct and indirect shareholding in the company’s downstream business.
The statement says: “Mr. Otedola’s divestment from the downstream business is pursuant to his decision to explore and maximise business opportunities in refining and petrochemicals. “The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter (Q l) of 2019 subject to the satisfaction of various conditions and receipt of applicable regulatory approvals.”
He further stated : “This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the ordinary shares or any other securities, nor will there be any sale of the ordinary shares or any other securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale is not permitted.”
Standard Chartered Bank, Corporate Finance & Advisory, Dubai, and Olaniwun Ajayi LP, serve as financial and legal advisors respectively to Otedola, while PricewaterhouseCoopers and Stanbic IBTC Capital Limited are Joint financial advisors and Sefton Fross served as legal advisor to Ignite Investments and Commodities Limited.
