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Law Relating to the Conditions and Procedure for Issuing Corporate Bonds


Bonds are fixed income security issued as debt instrument with low interest yield. It is a loan instrument used to raise long-term capital for infrastructural development. Bonds are negotiable debt instruments. There cannot be a perpetual bond. The maximum life span is 25 years. Any amount to be sold through bonds must not be more than half of the total income of the company in the preceding financial year. 

Corporate Bonds can be issued by any public company, foreign public companies and supranational bodies: Rule 567 of the Securities and Exchange Commission Rules.

Condition for Approval of Corporate Bonds

The issuance of bonds by public companies and supranational bodies shall be subject to the following conditions stipulated in Rule 568 of the Securities and Exchange Commission Rules:

a. Eligibility of Debt Offering

i.  Any public company, foreign public company or supranational body is eligible to issue.

ii.    All necessary approvals (where applicable) in relation to the issue, from other regulatory authorities shall be obtained and filed with the Commission together with the registration statement.

iii.   All issues of corporate bonds shall be rated by a rating agency (optional for private placements.

v.    No Issuer shall offer bond if it is in default of payment of interest or repayment of principal in respect of previous debts issuance for a period of more than six (6) months.

b.  Mode of issue

Corporate bonds may be issued by way of an offer for subscription, rights issue or private placement.

c.  Resolution

There shall be a resolution by the board authorising the issue of the bond and a resolution of the general meeting resolution shall be required where:

(i)   The amount to be borrowed is beyond the specified limit on the borrowing powers of directors in the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the issuer;

(ii) The bond to be issued is convertible.

Procedure for Issuing Corporate Bonds

1.        Convene a board meeting and pass a resolution authorising the bond issue.

2.       A resolution passed at the General Meeting will be needed if the amount to be borrowed is beyond the issuing companies' borrowing limit or the bond is a convertible bond.

3.       The company will file a registration statement accompanied by the following documents;

(a)     Duly completed Form SEC 6;
(b)     Appropriate filing and registration fees;
(c)     Two (2) copies of the board resolution authorising the issue of the bond or special resolution if needed;
(d)     Two (2) copies of the certified true copy of the  Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Issuer;
(e)     A copy of certificate of incorporation of the issuer certified by the company secretary;
(f)     A signed copy of the Issuers latest audited accounts for the preceding three (3) years, with the latest account not more than nine (9) months old at the time of filing with the Commission;
(g)     Reporting accountant report;
(h)     Consent letters of the parties to the offer;
(i)       Two (2) copies of the draft vending agreement between the issuer and the issuing house;
(j)      Draft underwriting agreement (where applicable);
(k)     Rating report by a registered rating agency;
(l)       A letter of “No Objection” from the relevant regulatory body (where applicable);
(m)   Two (2) copies of draft trust deed;
(n)  A draft prospectus, right circular, placement memorandum or any form of information Memorandum with specified contents in RULE 567(n)(i-xi)
(o)     Declaration by the issuer on compliance with all requirements of the Act; 


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