SEC Suspends Centurion Registrars for Capital Market Infractions

The suspension was announced by the commission in a statement titled Additional Enforcement Measures on Erring Capital Market Operators.

The SEC stated, “All clients of Centurion Registrars are advised to contact Africa Prudential Plc for guidance.”

This is not the first time Centurion Registrars has had issues with the Nigerian government as it was convicted in 2022 by a Special Offences Court in Lagos over fraud involving N206.5 million stocks after it was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The latest action of the SEC on the company is part of the agency’s broader efforts in 2025 to crack down on capital market operators it deems illegal to sanitise the investment environment in Nigeria.

Recall that the regulator revoked the registration of Mainland Trust Limited as a capital market operator, citing regulatory non-compliance and outstanding complaints against the company.

In a related development, the commission also said it would publish the names of Capital Market Operators who violate market regulations in its Name and Shame journal.

The SEC said the decision reflects a zero-tolerance policy for infractions in the capital market and aligns with newly revised enforcement strategies.

According to the notice, “The publication will be in addition to the sanctions and penalties for the respective infractions prescribed in the ISA 2007 and the SEC rules and regulations.”

Business Post had reported that the SEC listed mainstreaming the Nigerian capital market into the economy as its top priority in 2025.

Mr Emomotimi Agama, the Director General of SEC, said this in his New Year 2025 message to the capital market community on Monday.

He also said the commission would intensify efforts to eliminate Ponzi and pyramid schemes, thereby fostering an environment for genuine investment opportunities to thrive in 2025.

He said that protecting investors remained a cornerstone of the commission’s mission.

Mr Agama also said that the commission would prioritise key initiatives aimed at deepening market integrity, enhancing investor confidence and driving economic growth.