POSSIBLE FRAUD UNCOVERED?
The following post is not meant to annoy or point accusing fingers at anyone in particular. I may be wrong, so prove me wrong if you will. I just need to know the true facts about the current Initial Public Offering of shares in Nigeria's Transcorp Hilton, which used to be NICON NOGA HILTON HOTEL.
It mutated to TRANSCORP HILTON HOTEL when the Federal Government sold its majority shareholding to a group of 'elite' Nigerians who came together under the TRANSCORP umbrella.
What's funny about the entire deal? Let me see:
1. The present government practically sold government property to private citizens, who are actually well known friends or colleagues, to say the least.
2. Whether the shares were fully paid for is an obscure issue that needs clarification to avoid the FRAUD label.
3. The sale of 50 kobo nominal shares for 750 kobo in the IPO is, in my humble opinion, an over-valuation that would ultimately net a clean profit for the 'elite' initial subscribers, who may not have backed their original purchase with cash!
The three points above would best be resolved by January 31, 2007; otherwise, the usual well-practiced trend would ensue automatically:
a] the share price drops below 750 kobo after the offer closes, so the secondary subscriber is stuck with the shares that cannot be resold without incurring a quick loss in value.
b] the 'elite' corporate insiders and their government collaborators smile all the way to the bank and share the proceeds of the officially sanctioned daylight robbery.
c] no dividends or srip issues are forthcoming for the next 5 to 10 years or more!
d] the 'elite' subscribers get paid their emoluments, contract sums, and dividends via indirect means like free facilities, trips, allowances for sitting and traveling, etc.
SO, MY INQUIRING MIND WANTS TO KNOW: IS THERE ANY HINT OF FRAUD HERE?



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