Companies Act 2009

THE COMPANIES ACT, 2009
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Section
PART I–PRELIMINARY

Interpretation.
PART II–CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION
Establishment of Corporate Affairs Commission.
Membership of Commission.
Tenure of office of members of Commission.
Remuneration and allowances.
Meetings of Commission.
Disclosure of interest.
Functions of Commission.
Appointment of Registrar.
Appointment of staff.
Right to appear in court.
Funds of Commission.
Accounts and audit.
Annual report.
PART III–INCORPORATION OF COMPANIES AND INCIDENTAL
MATTERS
Formation of a companies
Right to form company.
Partnership, etc of more than 20 members to be incorporated.
ACT
Supplement to the Sierra Leone Gazette Vol. CXL, No. 36 dated 13th August, 2009
Capacity of individuals to form companies.
Types of companies.
Private companies.
Public companies.
Unlimited company to have share capital.
Company limited by guarantee.
Memorandum of association
Requirements with respect to memorandum of company.
Form of memorandum.
Name as stated in memorandum.
Exemption from requirement of using “Limited” as part of name.
Provision applicable to company exempted under section 26.
Prohibited and restricted names.
Penalty for improper use of “Limited”.
Change of names of companies.
31 Articles for regulating companies.
Documents of incorporation.
Registration of memorandum and articles.
Effect of registration.
Capacity and powers of a company
Powers of companies.
Effect of ultra vires act.
Effect of memorandum and articles
Effect of memorandum and articles.
Member’s right to copies of memorandum.
Copies of memorandum issued to embody alterations.
Alteration of memorandum and articles
Restriction on alteration of memorandum.
Alteration of memorandum.
Mode of alteration of business or objects.
Alteration of articles.
Effect of alteration of company’s members.
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Re-registration of companies
45. Re-registration of private company as public company.
46. Re-registration of public company as private company.
47. Re-registration of company limited by shares as unlimited.
48. Re-registration of unlimited as company limited by shares.
Promoters
49. Persons promoting company.
50. Duties and liabilities of promoters.
PART IV–ACTS BY OR ON BEHALF OF COMPANY
51. Division of powers between general meeting and board of directors.
52. Delegation to committees and managing directors.
53. Acts of company.
54. Acts of officers or agents.
55. Abolition of constructive notice of registered documents.
56. Presumption of regularity.
57. Liability of company not affected by fraud or forgery of officer.
Company’s contracts
58. Form of contract.
59. Pre-incorporation contracts.
60. Common seal of company.
61. Official seal for use abroad.
62. Bills of exchange and promissory notes.
63. Authentication.
PART V –MEMBERSHIP OF COMPANY
64. Definition of “member”.
65. Capacity to be member.
66. Right of member to attend meetings and vote.
67. Companies ceasing to have members.
68. Personation of members.
69. Obligation to keep and enter up register.
70. Location of register.
71. Index of members.
72. Entries in register in relation to share warrants.
73. Inspection of register and index.
74. Non-compliance with sections 67, 68 and 70.
75. Power to close register.
76. Power of court to rectify register.
77. Trust not to be entered in register.
78 Register to be evidence.
Liability of members
79. Liability of members.
Disclosure of beneficial interest in shares
80. Power of company to require disclosure.
81. Obligation of disclosure by substantial shareholders in public Company.
82. Person ceasing to be substantial shareholder to notify company.
83. Register of interests in shares.
84. Registration of interests to be disclosed.
PART VI–SHARE CAPITAL
Minimum share capital
85. Authorised minimum share capital.
86. Alteration of share capital by consolidation etc.
87. Increase of share capital and notice of increase.
88. Increase of paid up capital on increase of shares.
89. Special resolution for reduction of share capital.
90. Restriction on reduction of issued share capital.
91. Application to court for order of confirmation.
92. Court order confirming reduction.
93. Registration of order and minutes or reduction.
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PART VII–SHARES
Nature of shares
94. Rights and Liabilities attached to shares.
95. Shares as transferable property.
96. Prohibition of non-voting and weighted shares.
Issues of shares
97. Power of companies to issue shares.
98. Issue of classes of shares.
99. Issue of shares at premium.
100. Issue of shares at discount.
101. Issue of redeemable preference shares.
102. Validation of improperly issued shares.
Allotment of shares
103. Authority to allot shares.
104. Method of application and allotment.
105. Allotment as acceptance of offer.
106. Payment on allotment.
107. Prohibition of allotment unless minimum subscription received.
108. Prohibition of allotment in certain cases of prospectus delivered to
Commission.
109. Effect of irregular allotment.
110. Return as to allotments.
111. Prohibition of payment of commissions, discounts out of shares and Capital.
112. Power to pay commission in certain cases.
114. Statement in balance sheet as to commission.
Call on and payment for shares
114. Payment for shares.
115. Meaning of payment in cash.
116. Payment other than in cash.
117. Power to pay different amounts on shares.
118. Reserve liability of companies having share capital.
Class of shares
119. Right of a preference shareholder to more than one vote.
120. Construction of class rights.
Numbering of shares
121. Shares to be numbered.
Share certificates
122. Issue of share certificates.
123. Effect of share certificate.
124. Probate, etc. as evidence of grant.
125. Issue and effect of share warrants to bearer.
Transfer and transmission of shares
126. Transfer of shares.
127. Entry in register of transfers.
128. Notice of refusal to register.
129. Transfer by personal representatives.
130. Recognition of executor’s etc. title to shares.
131. Protection of beneficiaries.
132. Certification of transfers.
Transaction by company in respect of its own shares
133. Redemption of redeemable preference shares.
134. Prohibition of financial assistance by company for acquisition of its shares.
135. Acquisition by company of its own shares.
136. Conditions for purchase by a company of its own shares.
137. Limit on number of shares acquired.
138. Disclosure by company of purchase of own shares.
139. Enforceability of contract to acquire shares.
140. Re-issue of shares acquired.
141. Acquisition of shares of holding company.
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PART VIII–DEBENTURES
Creation of debentures and debenture stock
142. Power to borrow money, to charge property and to issue debentures.
143. Perpetual debentures.
144. Convertible debentures.
145. Secured and unsecured debentures.
146. Redeemable debentures.
147. Power to re-issue redeemed debentures in certain cases.
148. Right of debenture holders and shareholders as to register of debenture
holders, etc.
149. Meetings of debenture holders.
Fixed and floating charges
150. Meaning of ‘floating’ and ‘fixed’ charges.
151. Priority of fixed over floating charge.
152. Powers of court to appoint receiver or manager.
153. Advertisement of appointment of receiver and manager.
154. Preferential payment to debenture holders in certain cases.
155. Execution of debenture trust deed.
156. Contents of debenture trust deed.
157. Contents of debentures covered by trust deed.
158. Trustees for debenture holders.
159. Disqualification for appointment as trustee of debenture trust deed.
160. Rights of debenture holders.
161. Liability of trustees for debenture holders.
162. Restrictions on transferability of debentures.
163. Company to keep copies of instruments creating charges.
164. Company’s register of charges.
165. Inspection of register and copies of instruments.
166. Register of debenture holders.
167. Inspection of register of debentures etc.
168. Entry in register of transfer of debentures holders.
169. Notice of refusal to register.
Registration of charges with Commission
170. Registration of charges created by companies.
171. Register of particulars of charges.
172. Duty of company to register charges.
173. Duty of company acquiring property to register subsisting charge.
174. Existing charges.
175. Charges to secure fluctuating amounts.
176. Endorsement of registration.
177. Entries of satisfaction of charges.
178. Rectification of register.
179. Inspection of register and copies of instruments.
180. Realisation of debenture holder’s security.
181. Remedies available to debenture holders.
182. Delivery of debentures or certificate of debenture stocks.
PART IX–MEETINGS AND PROCEEDINGS
Statutory meetings
183. Statutory meetings.
184. Non-compliance and penalty.
General meetings
185. Annual general meetings.
186. Business transacted at annual general meetings.
Extra-ordinary general meetings
187. Extra-ordinary general meetings.
188. Place of meetings.
Notice of meetings
189. Length of notice for calling meetings.
190. Contents of notice.
191. Persons entitled to notice.
192. Service of notice.
193. Additional notice.
194. Failure to give notice.
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Court to order meetings.
Right to attend general meetings.
Proxies.
Corporation’s representation at meetings of companies.
Quorum.
Resolutions.
Written resolutions.
Circulation of members’ resolutions.
Resolutions requiring special notice.
Registration and copies of certain resolutions.
Effect of resolutions passed at adjourned meetings.
Miscellaneous matters relating to meetings and proceedings
Minutes of proceedings and effect.
Inspection of minutes books and copies.
Class of meetings.
PART X–DIRECTORS AND SECRETARIES OF COMPANY
Meaning of “directors”.
Shadow directors.
Appointment of Directors
Number of directors.
Subsequent appointments of directors.
Casual vacancy.
Liability of person where not duly appointed.
Share qualification of directors.
Duty of directors to disclose age to company.
Insolvent persons acting as directors.
Restraint of fraudulent persons.
Disqualification for directorship.
Rotation of directors.
Mode of voting on appointment of directors.
Removal of directors.
Remuneration of directors
Remuneration of directors.
Remuneration of managing directors.
Prohibition of loans to directors in certain circumstances.
Payment by company for loss of office etc. to be approved.
Payment to director for loss of office etc. or transfer of property illegally.
Directors to disclose payment for loss of office, etc. in certain cases.
Provisions supplemental to sections 227 and 228.
Powers and duties of directors
Limitations on the powers of directors.
Duties of directors.
Duty of care and skill.
Directors as trustees and agents of company.
Exercise of directors’ power.
Conflict of duty and interest.
Consent of companies.
Duties of directors in connection with sales of the company’s securities.
Contracts in which directors are interested.
Directors acting professionally.
Civil liabilities for breach of duty.
Legal proceedings to enforce liabilities.
Miscellaneous matters relating to directors
Multiple directors.
Directors with unlimited liability in respect of limited company.
Special resolution of limited company making liability of directors unlimited.
Statement on remuneration of directors to be furnished to shareholders.
Provision as to liability of officers and auditors.
Register of directors and secretaries.
Register of directors’ holdings.
Secretaries
Secretaries.
Avoidance of acts done by a person as director and secretary.
Qualification of secretary.
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Appointment and summary dismissal of secretary.
Fiduciary interests of secretary
Duties of secretary.
PART XI–PROTECTION OF MINORITY AGAINST ILLEGAL AND
OPPRESSIVE CONDUCT
Action by or against company
Only company may sue for wrong or ratify irregular conduct.
Injunction or declaration in the event of illegal or irregular activity.
Definition of member.
Commencing derivative action.
Powers of court.
Evidence of share holder’s approval not conclusive.
Court’s approval to discontinue.
No security for costs.
Interim costs.
Definition of applicant.
Relief on grounds of unfairly prejudical and oppressive conduct
Application.
Grounds of application.
Powers of court to grant relief.
Investigation of companies and their affairs
Investigation of affairs of company by inspectors.
Inspector’s powers during investigation.
Production of documents and evidence to inspectors.
Power of inspector to call for directors’ bank accounts.
Inspector’s report.
Power to bring civil proceedings.
Criminal proceedings on report by inspectors.
Inspectors’ report to be used as evidence in legal proceedings.
Appointment, etc. of inspectors to investigate ownership of company.
Provisions applicable to investigations.
Power to require information as to persons interested in shares, etc.
Power to impose restrictions on shares etc.
Saving for legal practitioners and bankers.
PART XII–FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND A UDIT
Accounting records
Companies to keep accounting record.
Place and duration of records.
Penalties for non-compliance with sections 299 and 300.
Company’s accounting reference periods and financial year
Accounting reference period and date.
Alteration of accounting reference period.
Consequence of giving notice under section 285.
Inspection of accounts and books by non-directors.
Directors’ duty to prepare annual accounts.
Form and content of individual financial statements.
Group financial statements of holding company.
Form and content of group financial statements.
Additional disclosure required in notes to financial statements.
Director’s report.
Signing of balance sheet and documents to be annexed thereto.
Persons entitled to receive financial statements as of right.
Directors’ duty to lay and deliver financial statements.
Penalty for non-compliance with section 296.
Default order in case of non-compliance.
Form and content of company, individual or financial statements
Penalty for laying or delivering defective financial statements.
Share holder’s right to obtain copies of financial statements.
Modification of financial statements
Entitlement to deliver financial statements in modified form.
Definition of small company.
Modified individual financial statements.
Modified financial statements of holding company.
Publication of financial statements
Publication by company of full individual or group financial statements.
Publication of abridged financial statements.
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Power of Minister to alter accounting requirements.
Appointment and remuneration of auditors.
Qualification of auditors.
Auditors’ report.
Auditors’ duties and powers.
Removal of auditors.
Auditors’ right to attend company’s meetings.
Resignation of auditors.
Liability of auditors for negligence.
False statement to auditors.
PART XIII –ANNUAL RETURNS
Annual returns of companies having share capital.
Annual return of company not having share capital.
Annual returns of small companies.
General provisions on annual returns.
Certificates to be sent by private companies with annual returns.
PART XIV–DIVIDENDS AND PROFITS
Declaration of dividend and payment of interim dividend.
Distributable profits.
Restriction on declaration and payment of dividends.
Unclaimed dividends.
Reserves and capitalization.
Employees’ shares and profit sharing.
Right of share holders to sue for dividends.
Liability for paying dividend out of capital.
PART XV – RECEIVERS AND MANAGERS
Appointment of receivers and managers 330.Disqualification for appointment as receiver or manager.
Official receiver for debenture holders and others.
Appointment of receivers and managers by court.
Receivers and managers appointed out of court.
Power of a receiver or manager appointed out of court to apply to Court for
directions.
Registration of appointment order etc.
Duties, powers, etc. of receivers and managers.
Liabilities of receivers and managers on contracts.
Procedure after appointment
Notice of appointment.
Special provisions as to statement submitted to receiver.
Accounts by receivers or managers
Delivery to Commission of accounts of receivers and managers.
Duty as to returns
Enforcement of duty of receivers, managers to make returns etc.
Construction of references
Construction of references to receivers and managers.
PART XVI–WINDING UP
Modes of winding up
Modes of winding up.
Liability of members
Liability as contributories of present and past members.
Definition of contributory.
Nature of liability of contributory.
Contributories in case of death of members.
Contributories in case of bankruptcy of members.
Winding-up by the court – jurisdiction
Jurisdiction to wind up companies incorporated in Sierra Leone.
Cases in which a company may be wound up by court
Circumstances in which company may be wound up by court.
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Definition of inability to pay debts.
Provision as to applications for winding up.
Power of court on hearing petition.
Power to stay or restrain proceedings against company.
Avoidance of disposition of property, etc. after commencement of winding
up.
Avoidance of attachment, etc.
Commencement of winding up
Commencement of winding up by court.
Copy of order to be forwarded to Commission.
Actions to be stayed on winding up order.
Effect of winding up order.
Official receiver in winding up
Official receiver to be appointed by the Commission.
Statement of company’s affairs to official receiver.
Report by official receiver.
Liquidators
Power of court to appoint liquidators.
Appointment and powers of provisional liquidators.
Appointment, etc. of liquidators.
Provisions where person other than official receiver is appointed liquidator.
General provisions as to liquidators.
Custody of company’s property.
Vesting of property of company in liquidators.
Powers of liquidators.
Companies Liquidation Account.
Exercise and control of liquidators’ powers.
Books to be kept by liquidators’.
Payments by liquidators into Companies Liquidation Account.
Audit of liquidators’ accounts.
Control over liquidators.
Release of liquidators.
Committees of inspection
Meetings to consider appointment of committee of inspection.
Constitution and proceedings of committee of inspection.
General powers of court in case of winding up by court
Power to stay winding up.
Settlement of list of contributories and application of assets.
Delivery of property to liquidators.
Payment of debts due by contributories to company and extent to which set
off allowed.
Power of court to make calls.
Payment into Companies Liquidation Account of moneys due to companies.
Order on contributory to be conclusive evidence.
Appointment of special manager.
Power to exclude creditors not proving in time.
Adjustment of rights of contributories.
Inspection of books by creditors and contributories.
Costs of winding-up to be paid out of assets.
Summoning of persons suspected of having property of company.
Attendance of directors of company at meetings of creditors, etc.
Public examination of promoters, directors etc.
Power to restrain fraudulent persons from managing companies.
Power to arrest absconding contributory.
Powers of court cumulative.
Dissolution of company.
Enforcement of and appeal from orders
Enforcement of orders.
Appeals from orders.
Voluntary winding up
Circumstances in which company may be wound up voluntarily.
Notice of resolutions to wind up voluntarily.
Commencement of voluntary winding up.
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Consequences of voluntary winding up
405. Effect of voluntary winding up on business and status of company.
406. Avoidance of transfers etc., after commencement of voluntary winding up.
Declaration of solvency
407. Statutory declaration of solvency.
408. Distinction between “members” and “creditors” voluntary winding-up.
Provisions applicable to members’ voluntary winding up
409. Provisions applicable to member’s voluntary winding up
410. Power of company to appoint and fix remuneration of liquidator.
411. Power to fill vacancies in office of liquidator.
412. Power of liquidator to accept shares as consideration for sale of company’s
property.
413. Creditors’ meeting in case of insolvency.
414. Final meeting and dissolution of companies.
415. Alternative provision as to company meeting in case of insolvency.
416. Books and accounts during members’ voluntary winding up.
Provisions applicable to creditors’ voluntary winding up
417. Meeting of creditors.
418. Appointment of liquidator.
419. Appointment of committee of inspection.
420. Fixing of liquidators’ remuneration and cesser of directors’ powers.
421. Power to fill vacancy in office of liquidator.
422. Liquidator to call meetings of company and others at end of each year.
Provisions applicable to every voluntary winding up
423. Distribution of property of company.
424. Powers and duties of liquidator in voluntary winding up.
425. Appointment and removal of liquidator in voluntary winding up.
426. Notice by liquidator of his appointment.
427. Arrangement when binding on creditors.
428. Power to apply to court to have questions determined or powers exercised.
429. Cost of voluntary winding up.
430. Saving of rights of creditors and contributories.
Winding up subject to supervision of court
431. Power to order winding up subject to supervision.
432. Effect of petition for winding-up subject to supervision.
433. Application of sections 355 and 356 to winding up subject to Supervision.
434. Appointment and removal of liquidators.
435. Effect of supervision order.
Provisions applicable to every mode of winding up -proof and ranking of claims
436. Debts of all descriptions may be proved.
437. Application of bankruptcy rules in certain cases.
438. Preferential payments.
Effect of winding-up on antecedent and other transactions
439. Fraudulent preference.
440. Liabilities and rights of persons fraudulently preferred.
441. Procedure for setting aside voidable transactions and shares.
442. Orders upon setting aside transactions or charges.
443. Additional provisions relating to setting aside transactions and charges.
444. Transactions at undervalue.
445. Inadequate or excessive consideration for directors and certain other
persons.
446. Court to set aside certain securities and charges.
447. Pooling of assets of related companies.
448. Guidelines for orders.
449. Assetless Companies Fund.
450. Effect of floating charge.
451. Disclaimer of onerous property.
452. Restriction of rights of creditor in company being wound up.
453. Duties of sheriff as to goods taken in execution.
Offences antecedent to or in course of winding up
454. Offences by officers of companies in liquidation.
455. Penalty for falsification of books.
456. Fraud by officers of companies which have gone into liquidation.
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Liability where proper accounts not kept.
Responsibility of directors for fraudulent trading.
Power of court to assess damages against delinquent directors.
Prosecution of delinquent officers and members of company.
Supplementary provisions as to winding up
Disqualifications for appointment as liquidator.
Corrupt inducement affecting appointment as liquidator.
Enforcement of duty of liquidator to make returns, etc.
Notification that a company is in liquidation.
Exemption of certain documents from stamp duty on winding up of
companies.
Books of company to be evidence.
Information as to pending liquidations.
Unclaimed assets to be paid into Companies Liquidation Account.
Resolutions passed at adjourned meetings of creditors and contributories.
Supplementary powers of court
Meetings to ascertain wishes of creditors or contributories.
Affidavits etc., in Sierra Leone and elsewhere.
Judicial notice of signature of officers.
Provisions as to dissolutions
Power of court to declare dissolution of company void.
Commission to strike defunct company off register.
Property of dissolved company to be bona vacantia.
Returns by Officers of Court
Returns by officers in winding up.
Accounts to be prepared annually
Annual accounts of company winding up and disposal.
PART XVII–ARRANGEMENTS AND COMPROMISES
Power to compromise with creditors and members.
Information on compromise to be circulated.
Provisions for facilitating reconstruction and amalgamation o companies.
Power to acquire shares of dissenting minority.
Dissentient’s right to compel acquisition of his shares.
Provisions supplementing section 48.
PART XVIII–COMPANIES I NCORPORATED OUTSIDE SIERRA LEONE
AND CARRYING ON BUSINESS WITHIN SIERRA LEONE
Companies to which this Part applies.
Documents, etc., to be delivered to Commission by companies
carrying on business in Sierra Leone
Balance sheet of company carrying on business in Sierra Leone.
Obligation to state name of company, etc.
Service on company to which this Part applies.
Commission to be notified when company ceases to have place of business
in Sierra Leone.
Notification of windingup of company incorporated outside Sierra Leone.
Cessation of business of company incorporated outside Sierra Leone.
Penalties.
Interpretation.
PART XIX–DEALINGS IN COMPANIES’ SECURITIES
Regulations.
Invitation to the public
Control of public invitations.
Meaning of “invitation to the public”.
Document offering for sale deemed to be prospectus.
Forms of prospectus
Form of application for shares to be issued with prospectus.
Effective date of prospectus.
Form and content of prospectus.
Application of provisions relating to prospectus in certain cases.
Prohibition of issue, etc. of certain notices, circulars and advertisements.
Expert’s statements in prospectus.
Prospectus on invitation to the public to acquire or dispose of securities.
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Short title.
No. 5 2009
Sierra Leone
THE COMPANIES ACT, 2009.
Being an Act to provide for the registration and regulation of companies and for other related matters. [] ENACTED by the President and Members of Parliament in this present Parliament assembled. Date of commencement.
505. Contract in prospectus, etc, not to be varied without leave.
506. Registration of prospectus.
507. Material change.
508. Civil liability for misstatement in prospectus.
509. Offences in respect of untrue statements in prospectus.
510. Interpretation as to statements in prospectus.
PART XX – MISCELLANOUS
511. Provision with respect to default fines and meaning of “officer in default”.
512. Penalty for improper use of the word “limited”.
513. Saving for privileged communications.
Service of documents and legal proceedings
514. Service of documents.
515. Power of court to grant relief in certain cases.
516. Costs in action by certain limited companies.
517. Power to enforce orders.
518. False statements.
519. Every director, employee etc. to be liable.
520. Falsification of records.
521. Power to grant relief.
522. Irregularities in proceedings.
523. Arbitration.
524. Court may disqualify directors.
525. Commission’s power of inspection.
526. Appeals from Commission’s decisions.
527. Representative actions.
528. Annual report by Commission.
529. Proof of signature of Registrar.
530. Regulations.
PART XXI–REPEALS
531. Repeal and savings.
SCHEDULES xxi
SIGNED this 5th day of June, 2009
DR. ERNEST BAI KOROMA,
President.
LS

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 Interpretation. 1. In this Act unless the context otherwise requires– “Attorney-General” means the Attorney-General and Minster of Justice. “Commission” means the Corporate Affairs Commission established by section 2; “Court” means the High Court; “debenture” includes debenture stock, bonds and any other securities of a company whether constituting a charge on the assets of the company or not; “director” means a person by whatever name called duly appointed by a company to direct and manage the business of the company and includes a person held out by the company as a director; “document” includes summons, notice, order or other legal process and registers; “existing company” means a company incorporated under the repealed Act; “financial year” means the financial year of the Government; “manager” includes any person occupying the position of a manager by whatever name called and whether under a contract of service or not; “memorandum” means the memorandum of association of a company as originally formed or as altered; “Minister” means the Minister responsible for trade. “officer” includes a director, manager or secretary but does not include an auditor; “prospectus” means any prospectus, notice, circular, advertisement or other invitation, offering to the public for subscription or purchase any shares or debentures of a company; “Registrar” means the Registrar appointed under
section 9;
“security” includes shares and debentures; “share” means share in the share capital of a company and includes stock except where a distinction between stock and shares is expressed or implied.
PART II – CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION
2. (1) There is hereby established a body to be known as
the Corporate Affairs Commission.
(2) The Commission shall be–
(a) a body corporate with perpetual succession and a common seal; (b) capable of suing and being sued in its corporate name; and (c) capable of acquiring, holding or disposing of any property, whether movable or immovable, for the purpose of carrying out its functions.
3. (1) The Commission shall consist of the following
members:–
(a) a chairman who shall be an accountant or a legal practitioner having not less than ten years’ practice in his profession; 2 3 Cap 249 Establishment of Corporate Affairs Commission. Membership of Commission.

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (b) one representative each of the following bodies or organisations:– (i) the Sierra Leone Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture; (ii) the Sierra Leone Labour Congress; (iii) the Sierra Leone Bar Association; (iv) the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sierra Leone; (c) a representative of the Ministry responsible for trade; (d) two persons, one of whom shall be a woman, who at the time of their appointment work principally in the private sector; and (e) the Registrar. (2) The Chairman and other members of the Commission excepting the Registrar, shall be appointed by the President subject to the approval of Parliament.
4. (1) A person appointed as a member of the Commission
(other than an ex-officio member) shall hold office for three years and shall be eligible for re-appointment for not more than two terms. (2) Any member of the Commission shall cease to hold office if – (a) he resigns his office by written notice to the President; (b) he becomes unsound of mind or is incapable of carrying out his duties; (c) he is convicted of any offence involving fraud or dishonesty; (d ) he is guilty of serious misconduct relating to his duties; (e) he is an undischarged bankrupt; (f) in the case of the Chairman or representative of the Sierra Leone Bar Association or the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sierra Leone, if he is disqualified or suspended from practising his profession by the order of any competent authority made in respect of him personally; (g) fails to disclose any interest in any matter referred to in subsection (1) of section 7.
5. Members of the Commission appointed under paragraph
(a), (b) and (d) of subsection (1) of section 3 shall be paid such remuneration and allowances as may be determined by the Minister of Finance and subject to the approval of Parliament.
6. (1) The Commission shall meet for the dispatch of its
business at such time and place as the Chairman may determine. (2) A special meeting shall be summoned by the Chairman or at the written request of not less than two other members of the Commission. (3) The Chairman shall preside at meetings at which he is present and in his absence, a member elected by the other members present shall preside. (4) Each member shall have one vote but in the case of an equality of votes the Chairman or other person presiding shall have a casting vote. 4 5 Tenure of office of members of Commission. Remunertion and allowances. Meetings of Commission.

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (b) establish and maintain a company’s registry and offices in all the provinces as may be necessary, suitably and adequately equipped to discharge its functions under this Act or any other enactment in respect of which it is charged with responsibility; (c) perform such other functions as may be specified by this Act or any other enactment; and (d) undertake such other activities as are necessary or expedient for giving full effect to this Act.
9. (1) There shall be appointed by the Commission a
Registrar who shall be qualified to practise as a legal practitioner in Sierra Leone and has been so qualified for not less than ten years. (2) The Registrar shall be the chief executive of and secretary to the Commission and shall be subject to the directions of the Commission. (3) The Registrar shall hold office on such terms and conditions as the Commission may specify in his letter of appointment. (4) The Registrar shall be the accounting officer for the purpose of controlling and disbursing amounts from the fund established pursuant to section 12 .
10. The Commission may appoint such other staff as it may
think necessary for the efficient performance of the functions of the Commission.
11. Notwithstanding the provisions of any enactment to the
contrary, the Registrar or a person appointed under section 10 who is a legal practitioner shall, while so appointed, be entitled to represent the Commission as a legal practitioner for the purpose and in the course of his employment. (5) The quorum for a meeting of the Commission shall be four. (6) The Registrar shall act as Secretary to the Commission.
7. (1) A member of the Commission who is–
(a) directly or indirectly interested in any company or enterprise the affairs of which the Commission is deliberating upon; or (b) interested in any contract made or proposed to be made by the Commission, shall, as soon as possible after the relevant facts have come to his knowledge, disclose the nature of his interest at a meeting of the Commission. (2) A disclosure of an interest under subsection (1) shall be recorded in the minutes of the Commission, and the member shall– (a) not take part after such disclosure, in any deliberation or decision of the Commission with regard to the subject matter in respect of which his interest is thus disclosed; (b) be excluded for the purpose of constituting a quorum of the Commission for such deliberation or decision. (3) A decision of the Commission shall not be invalidated by the failure of a member to disclose his interest in any matter being deliberated on by the Commission.
8. The functions of the Commission are to–
(a) administer this Act including the regulation and supervision of the incorporation and registration of companies under or pursuant to this Act; 6 7 Disclosure of interest. Functions of Commission. Appointment of Registrar. Appointment of staff. Right to appear in court.

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009
12. The Commission shall have a fund which shall be used to
finance its activities, including–
(a) moneys appropriated by Parliament for the purposes of the Commission; (b) any loans raised by the Commission ; (c) grants or gifts from any person or organisation; and (d) moneys accruing to the Commission in the course of its operations.
13. (1) The Commission shall keep proper books of accounts
and proper records in relation to the accounts and shall prepare in respect of each year a statement of accounts in such form as the Auditor-General may approve. (2) The books of account and related records of the Commission shall be audited not later than six months after the end of each financial year by the Auditor-General, or an auditor appointed by the Auditor-General and the report of the audit shall, pursuant to
section 119 of the Constitution, be submitted to Parliament by the
Attorney-General.
14. (1) The Commission shall, not later than six months after
the end of each financial year, submit to the Minister an annual report on the activities of the Commission during that financial year, and the Minister shall cause the report to be laid before Parliament. (2) The annual report shall include the audited accounts of the Commission.
PART III –INCORPORATION OF COMPANIES AND INCIDENTAL
MATTERS
Formation of Company
15. (1) Subject to subsection (2), any two or more persons
may form and incorporate a company by complying with the requirements of this Act in respect of incorporation. (2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), a private company may be formed by one person.
16. (1) No company, association, or partnership consisting
of more than 20 persons shall be formed for the purpose of carrying on any business for profit or gain by the company, association, or partnership or by the individual members thereof, unless it is incorporated as a company under this Act or is formed in pursuance of some other enactment. (2) Nothing in this section shall apply to– (a) any co-operative society registered under the Cooperative Societies Act, 1977; (b) any partnership for the purpose of carrying on practice– (i) as legal practitioners, by persons each of whom is a legal practitioner; or (ii) as accountants by persons each of whom is entitled by law to practise as an accountant. (3) If at any time the number of members of a company, association or partnership exceeds 20 in contravention of this section and it carries on business for more than 14 days while the contravention continues, every person who is a member of the 8 9 Funds of Commission. Accounts and audit. Annual report. Right to form company. Partnership, etc of more than 20 members to be incorporated. Act No. 6 of 1977.

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 company, association or partnership during the time that it carries on business after those 14 days shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine of Le500,000 for each day during which the default continues.
17. (1) Subject to subsection (2), an individual shall not form
or join in the formation of a company under this Act if he is– (a) less than 18 years of age; (b) of unsound mind; (c) an undischarged bankrupt; or (d) otherwise disqualified under this Act from being a director of a company. (2) Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) shall not apply to companies formed prior to the commencement of this Act. (3) A corporate body in liquidation shall not join in the formation of a company under this Act.
18. (1) An incorporated company may be either a company–
(a) having the liability of its members limited by the memorandum to the amount, if any, unpaid on the shares respectively held by them (in this Act termed “a company limited by shares”); (b) having the liability of its members limited by the memorandum to such amount as the members may respectively thereby undertake to contribute to the assets of the company in the event of its being wound up (in this Act termed “a company limited by guarantee”); or (c) not having any limit on the liability of its members (in this Act termed “an unlimited company”). (2) Any of the companies mentioned in subsection (1) may either be a public or private company.
19. (1) A private company is one which is stated in its
memorandum to be a private company.
(2) Every private company shall, by its articles, restrict the transfer of its shares, if any. (3) The total number of members of a private company shall not exceed 50, excluding persons who are bona fide in the employment of the company, or were while in that employment and have continued after the determination of that employment, to be members of the company. (4) Where two or more persons hold one or more shares in a company jointly, they shall, for the purpose of subsection (3) be treated as a single member. (5) A private company shall not, unless authorised by law invite the public to– (a) subscribe for any shares or debentures of the company; or (b) deposit money for fixed periods or payable at call, whether or not bearing interest.
20. Any company other than a private company shall be a
public company and its memorandum shall state that it is a public company. 10 11 Capacity of individuals to form companies. Types of companies. Private companies. Public companies.

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009
21. After the commencement of this Act, an unlimited company
shall be registered with a share capital; and where an existing unlimited company is not registered with a share capital, it shall, not later than six months after the commencement of this Act, alter its memorandum so that it becomes an unlimited company having a share capital not below the minimum share permitted under this Act.
22. (1) Where a company is to be formed for promoting
commerce, art, science, religion, sports, culture, education, research, charity or other similar objects, and the income and property of the company are to be applied solely towards the promotion of those objects and no portion thereof is applied or transferred directly or indirectly to the members of the company except as permitted by this Act, the company shall not be registered as a company limited by shares, but as a company limited by guarantee. (2) After the commencement of this Act, every company limited by guarantee shall be incorporated as a company limited by guarantee and not having a share capital; and every existing company limited by guarantee and having a share capital shall not later than six months after the commencement of this Act, alter its memorandum so that it becomes a company limited by guarantee. (3) In the case of a company limited by guarantee, every provision in the memorandum or articles or in any resolution of the company purporting to give any person a right to participate in the divisible profit of the company or purporting to divide the company’s undertaking into shares or interests shall be void. (4) A company limited by guarantee shall not be incorporated with the object of carrying on business for the purpose of making profits for distribution to members. (5) If any company limited by guarantee carries on business for the purpose of distributing profits, all officers and members thereof who are cognisant of the fact that it is so carrying on business shall be jointly and severally liable for the payment and discharge of all the debts and liabilities of the company incurred in 12 carrying on the business; and the company and every such officer and member shall be liable to a fine not exceeding Le500,000 for each day during which it carries on the business. (6) Subject to compliance with subsection (5), the articles of association of a company limited by guarantee may provide that members can retire or be excluded from membership of the company. (7) If, upon the winding up of a company limited by guarantee, there remains after the discharge of all its debts and liabilities any property of the company, the property shall not be distributed among the members but shall be transferred to some other company limited by guarantee having objects similar to the objects of the company or applied to some charitable object and the other company or charity shall be determined by the members prior to the dissolution of the company. Memorandum of Association
23. (1) The memorandum of every company shall state–
(a) the name of the company;
(b) that the registered office of the company shall be situated in Sierra Leone; (c) the nature of the business or businesses which the company is authorised to carry on, or if the company is not formed for the purpose of carrying on business, the nature of the object or objects for which it is established; (d) the restriction, if any, on the powers of the company; (e) that the company is a private or public company, as the case may be; 13 Company limited by guarantee. Requirements with respect to memorandum of company. Unlimited company to have share capital.

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (f) that the liability of its members is limited by shares or by guarantee or is unlimited, as the case may be. (2) If the company has a share capital– (a) the memorandum shall also state the amount of share capital– (i) not being less than Le1,000,000 in the case of a private company, 25 percent of which shall be taken by subscribers. (ii) not being less than Le50,000,000 in the case of a public company 25 percent of which shall be taken up by subscribers. (b) each subscriber shall write opposite to his name the number of shares he takes. (3) The memorandum of a company limited by guarantee shall also state that– (a) the income and property of the company shall be applied solely towards the promotion of its objects, and that no portion shall be paid or transferred directly or indirectly to the members of the company except as permitted by or under this Act; and (b) each member undertakes to contribute to the assets of the company in the event of its being wound up while he is a member or within one year after he ceases to be a member, for the payment of the debts and liabilities of the company, and of the costs of winding-up, such amount as may be required not exceeding Le250,000 or such greater amount as the members may determine. (4) The memorandum shall be signed by each subscriber in the presence of at least one witness who shall attest the signature. (5) The memorandum shall be stamped as if it were a deed.
24. Subject to the provisions of section 23, the form of a
memorandum of association of–
(a) a company limited by shares;
(b) a company limited by guarantee; and (c) an unlimited company, shall be as specified in Tables B, C and D respectively in the First
Schedule, or as near to that form as circumstances may permit.
Name of company
25. (1) The name of a private company limited by shares
shall end with the word “Limited”.
(2) The name of a public company limited by shares shall end with the words “Public Limited Company”. (3) The name of an unlimited company shall end with the word “Unlimited”. (4) Subject to section 26, the name of a company limited by guarantee shall end with the word “limited by guarantee”. (5) A company may use the abbreviations “Ltd”, “PLC”, “Ultd” and “LG” for the words “Limited”, “Public Limited Company”, “Unlimited” and Limited by Guarantee respectively in the name of the company.
26. (1) Subject to subsection (3), the Commission may exempt
a company limited by guarantee from the requirements of section 25 relating to the use of “limited” as part of its name. 14 15 Form of memorandom. Name as stated in memorandum. Exemption from requirement of using “limited” as
part of name.

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (2) Subject to subsection (3), an existing company which at the commencement of this Act did not include “limited” as part of its name by virtue of a licence under section 19 of the Companies Act may be exempted from the requirements of section 25. (3) A company shall, in order to be exempted from the requirements of section 25 satisfy the Commission that– (a) the objects of the company are, or in the case of a company about to be registered are to be, the promotion of commerce, art, science education, religion, charity or any profession, and any thing incidental or conducive to any of those objects; and (b) the company’s memorandum or articles- (i) require its profits (if any) or other income to be applied in promoting its objects; (ii) prohibits the payment of dividends to its members, and (iii) require all the assets which would otherwise be available to its members generally to be transferred on its winding up either to another body with objects similar to its own or to another body the objects of which are the promotion of charity and anything incidental or conducive thereto (whether or not the body is a member of the company). (4) The company shall deliver to the Commission a statutory declaration made– (a) in the case of a company to be formed, by a legal practitioner engaged in its formation or by a person named as director or secretary in the statement delivered under subsection (2) of section 32; (b) in the case of a company proposing to change its name so that it ceases to have the word “limited” as part of its name, by a director or secretary of the company. (5) A company which is exempted from the requirements relating to the use of “limited” and does not include that word as part of its name, is also exempted from the requirements of this Act relating to the publication of its name and the sending of lists of members to the Commission.
27. (1) A company which is exempted under section 26 and
whose name does not include “limited” shall not alter its memorandum or to articles of association so that it ceases to comply with the requirements of subsection (3) of that section. (2) If it appears to the Commission that a company referred to in subsection (1) has– (a) carried on any business other than the promotion of any of the objects mentioned in subsection (3) of section 26; (b) applied any of its profits or other income otherwise than in promoting such objects, or (c) paid a dividend to any of its members, it may, in writing, direct the company to change its name by resolution of the directors within such period as may be specified in the direction, so that its name ends with “limited”. 16 17 Cap. 249. Provisions applicable to company exempted
section 26.

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (3) A copy of a resolution passed by the directors in compliance with a direction under subsection (2) shall be forwarded to the Commission within fifteen days after the passing of the resolution in accordance with section 204. (4) If a company contravenes subsection (1), the company and any officer in default shall be guilty of an offence and be liable to a daily default fine of Le500,000 and any resolution passed in contravention of this section shall be void. (5) If a company fails to comply with a direction of the Commission under subsection (2), the company and any officer in default shall be liable to a daily default fine of Le500,000.
28. (1) No company shall be incorporated or registered under
this Act by a name which–
(a) is identical with that by which a company in existence is already registered, or so nearly resembles that name as to be likely to deceive, except where the company in existence is in the course of being dissolved and signifies its consent in such manner as the Commission may require; (b) contains the words “Chamber of Commerce “ unless it is a company limited by guarantee; (c) in the opinion of the Commission is capable of misleading as to the nature or extent of its activities or is undesirable, offensive or otherwise contrary to public policy; (d) in the opinion of the Commission would violate any existing business name registered in Sierra Leone unless the consent of the owner of the business name has been obtained. (2) Except with the consent of the Commission, no company shall be registered by a name which- (a) contains the words “Sierra “Leone” “National” or “Government,” or any word which in the opinion of the Commission suggests or is calculated to suggest that it enjoys the patronage of the Government or any Ministry or Department of Government; or (b) contains the word “Municipal” or “Chartered” or in the opinion of the Commission suggests, or is calculated to suggest, connection with any municipality or other local council; (c) contains the word “Co-operative”; (d) contains the word “Group” or “Holding”. (3) The Commission may by statutory instrument amend subsection (2).
29. Any person who trades or carries on business under a
name or title of which “limited or any contraction or imitation thereof, is the last word, that person, unless duly incorporated with limited, shall be guilty of an offence and be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding Le.500,000 for each day that the default continues.
30. (1) Subject to subsection (2) a company may, by special
resolution and with the approval of the Commission, change its name. (2) In the case of a company which has been directed by the Commission to change its name under section 27 that company shall by resolution change its name within such period as may be specified in the direction. 18 19 Prohibited and restricted names. Penalty for improper use of “limited”. Change of names of companies.

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (3) If a company, through inadvertence or otherwise, is registered under a name identical with that by which a company in existence is previously registered or so nearly resembling it as to be likely to deceive, the first mentioned company may– (a) with the approval of the Commission signified in writing, change its name; and (b) if the Commission so directs, within six months after the registration, the company concerned shall change its name. (4) If a company defaults in complying with a direction of the Commission given under subsection (2), the company and any director of the company who is cognisant of the default shall be guilty of an offence and be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding Le500,000 for each day that the default continues. (5) Where a company changes its name, the Registrar shall enter the new name on the register in place of the former name and shall issue a certificate of incorporation altered to meet the circumstances of the case. (6) If the Commission is of the opinion that by reason of any change in the nature of the business carried on by a company the name under which it is registered is misleading or undesirable, it may direct the company to change its name within six weeks of such direction. (7) If at the expiration of the period mentioned in subsection (6), the company has not complied with the direction and has not shown cause for the non-compliance, the Commission may strike its name off the register. (8) Any company or member or creditor of such company aggrieved by a decision of the Commission under subsection (7) may appeal to the High Court for the restoration of the company to the register. (9) A change of name shall not affect any right or obligation of the company, or render defective any legal proceedings by or against the company, and any legal proceedings that might have been continued or commenced against it by its former name may be continued or commenced against it by its new name. (10) Any change in the name of a company shall be published by the Registrar in the Gazette and in any local newspaper. (11) A publication in the Gazette shall be prima facie evidence of the change of name to which it relates. Articles of association
31. (1) Every company whether limited by shares or by
guarantee or unlimited shall be incorporated with the memorandum or articles of association, signed by the subscribers to the memorandum and prescribing regulations for the company. (2) Articles of association may adopt all or any of the rules contained in Table A of the First Schedule. (3) In the case of an unlimited company having a share capital, the articles shall state the amount of share capital with which the company proposes to be registered. (4) The articles shall be– (a) printed; (b) divided into paragraphs numbered consecutively; and (c) signed by each subscriber of the memorandum in the presence of at least one witness who shall attest the signature. 20 21 Articles for regulating companies.

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 Registration of companies
32. (1) After the commencement of this Act, a company shall
be formed in the manner set out in this section.
(2) There shall be delivered to the Commission– (a) the memorandum of association of the company; (b) the notice of the address of the registered office of the company and the head office if different from the registered office, but the postal box address or a private bag address shall not be accepted by the Commission as the registered office; (c) a statement containing– (i) the list and particulars together with the consent of the persons who are to be the first directors of the company; (ii) the person who is or the persons who are to be the first secretary or joint secretaries of the company; (d) a declaration by the subscribers stating– (i) the names and addresses of the subscribers; (ii) the share capital of the company; (iii) the number of shares to be issued to each subscriber; and (iv) that twenty five percent of the shares have been subscribed; (e) a declaration by the suscribers that they have complied with the requirement of the law; and (f) any other document required by the Commission to satisfy the requirement of any law relating to the formation of a company. (3) Where the Commission refuses a statutory declaration, it shall, within 14 days of the date of receipt of the declaration send to the declarant a notice of its refusal, giving reasons for the refusal.
33. (1) The Commission shall register the memorandum and
articles unless in its opinion–
(a) they do not comply with the provisions of this Act; (b) the business which the company is to carry on, or the objects for which it is formed, or any of them, are illegal; (c) any of the subscribers to the memorandum is incompetent or disqualified in accordance with section 17; (d) there is non-compliance with the requirement of any other enactment as to registration and incorporation of a company. (2) Where the Commission refuses to register the memorandum and articles of association, it shall, within 14 days give notice in writing to the applicant of its decision. (3) Any person aggrieved by the decision of the Commission under subsection (1) shall appeal to the High Court within 30 days of the receipt of the decision. 22 23 Documents of incorporation. Registration of memorandum and articles.

24 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 25 (4) The Commission may, in order to satisfy itself as provided in paragraph ( c) of subsection (1) in writing require a person subscribing to the memorandum to make and lodge with the Commission, a statutory declaration to the effect that he is not disqualified under section 17 from forming or joining in a company.
34. (1) On the incorporation of a company, the Commission
shall certify under its seal that the company is incorporated and in the case of a limited company, that it is limited. (2) From the date of incorporation mentioned in the certificate, the subscribers of the memorandum, together with such other persons as may from time to time become members of the company, shall be a body corporate by the name contained in the memorandum. (3) A certificate of incorporation shall be prima facie evidence– (a) that the requirements of this Act in respect of registration and of matters precedent and incidental to it have been complied with, and is duly registered under this Act; and (b) if the certificate contains a statement that the company is a public company, that the company is such company. Capacity and powers of a company
35. Except to the extent that the company’s memorandum or
any enactment otherwise provides, every company shall, for the furtherance of its authorised business or objects, have all the powers of a natural person of full capacity.
36. (1) A company shall not carry on any business not
authorised by its memorandum and shall not exceed the powers conferred upon it by its memorandum or this Act. (2) A breach of subsection (1) may be asserted in any proceedings under subsection (4) or Part XI. (3) Notwithstanding subsection (1), no act of a company and no conveyance or transfer of property to or by a company shall be invalid by reason of the fact that the act, conveyance or transfer was not done or made for the furtherance of any of the authorised business of the company or that the company was otherwise exceeding its objects or powers. (4) On the application of– (a) any member of the company; or (b) the holder of any debenture secured by a floating charge over all or any of the company’s property or by the trustee of the holders of such debentures, the court may prohibit by injunction, the doing of any act or the conveyance or transfer of any property in breach of subsection (1). (5) If the transactions sought to be prohibited in any proceeding under subsection (4) are being, or are to be performed or made pursuant to any contract to which the company is a party, the court may, if it thinks it to be equitable and if all the parties to the contract are parties to the proceedings, set aside and prohibit the performance of the contract, and may allow to the company or to the other parties to the contract compensation for any loss or anticipated profits to be derived from the performance of the contract. (6) In favour of a person dealing with a company in good faith, any transaction decided on by the directors is deemed to be one which is within the capacity of the company to enter into, and the power of the directors to bind the company is deemed to be free of any limitation under the memorandum or articles. Effect of incorporation. Powers of companies. Effect of ultra vires acts.

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (7) A party to a transaction decided on under subsection (6) is not bound to enquire as to the capacity of the company to enter into it or as to any limitation on the powers of the directors, and is presumed to have acted in good faith unless the contrary is proved. Effect of memorandum and articles
37. (1) Subject to this Act, on the incorporation of a company
the memorandum and articles shall bind the company and the members to the same extent as if they respectively had been signed and sealed by each member and contained covenants on the part of each member to observe all the provisions of the memorandum and the articles. (2) All moneys payable by any member to the company under the memorandum or articles shall be a debt due from him to the company and shall be of the nature of a specialty debt. (3) Where the memorandum or articles empower any person to appoint or remove any director or other officer of the company, the power shall be exercisable by that person notwithstanding that he is not a member or officer of the company. (4) In any action by any member or officer to enforce any obligation owed under the memorandum or articles to him and any other member or officer, the member or officer may, if any other member or officer is affected by the alleged breach of such obligation with his consent, sue in a representative capacity on behalf of himself and all other members or officers who may be affected other than any who are defendants and the provisions of Part XI shall apply. Member’s right to copy of memorandum and articles
38. (1) A company shall, on being so required by any member
send to him a copy of the memorandum and of the articles subject to payment, in case of a copy of the memorandum and the articles of Le20,000 or such amount as the company may determine. (2) If a company defaults in complying with subsection (1) the company or every officer of the company who is in default commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding Le3,000,000.
39. (1) Where an alteration is made in the memorandum of a
company every copy of the memorandum issued after the date of the alteration shall be in accordance with the alteration. (2) If, where the alteration has been made, the company at any time after the date of the alteration issues any copies of the memorandum which are not in accordance with the alteration, it shall be liable to a fine not exceeding Le 10,000 for each copy so issued, and every officer of the company who is in default shall be liable to the same penalty. Alteration of memorandum and articles
40. (1) A company may not alter the conditions contained in
its memorandum except in the cases and in the manner and to the extent for which express provision is made in this Act. (2) Only those provisions which are required by section 23 or by any other specific provision contained in this Act, to be stated in the memorandum of the company concerned shall be deemed to be conditions contained in its memorandum.
41. (1) The name of the company shall not be altered except
with the consent of the Commission in accordance with section 30. (2) The business which the company is authorised to carry on or, if the company is not formed for the purpose of carrying on business, the objects for which it is established may be altered or added to in accordance with this Act. (3) Any restriction on the powers of the company may be altered in the same way as the business or object of the company. 26 27 Effect of memorandum and articles. Member’s right to copies of memorandum. Copies of memorandum issued to embody alterations. Restriction on alteration of memorandum. Alteration of memorandum.

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (4) Any other condition of the memorandum may be altered in accordance with section 42 or as otherwise provided in this Act.
42. (1) A company may, at a meeting of which notice in writing
has been duly given to all members (whether or not otherwise entitled to it), by special resolution alter the provisions of its memorandum with respect to the business or objects of the company. (2) If an application is made to the court in accordance with this section for the alteration to be cancelled, it shall not have effect except in so far as it is confirmed by the court. (3) An application under this section may be made to the court– (a) by the holders of not less in the aggregate than 10 per cent in nominal value of the company’s issued share capital or any class thereof or, if the company is not limited by shares, not less than 10 per cent of the company’s members; or (b) by the holders of not less than 10 per cent of the company’s debentures entitling the holders to object to alterations of its objects:
but an application shall not be made by any person who has consented to or voted in favour of the alteration. (4) An application under this section shall be made not later than 28 days after the date on which the resolution altering the company’s business or objects was passed, and may be made on behalf of the persons entitled to make the application by one or more of their number as they may appoint in writing for the purpose. (5) The court may, on application, by order extend the period for the making of the application. (6) On the hearing of an application under this section, the court may make an order confirming or cancelling the alteration either wholly or in part and on such terms and conditions as it thinks fit, and may adjourn the proceedings in order that an arrangement may be made to the satisfaction of the court for the purchase of the interests of dissentient members; and the court may give such directions and make such orders as it thinks expedient for facilitating or carrying into effect such an arrangement:
(7) No part of the capital of the company shall be expended on any purchase referred to in subsection (6). (8) The debentures entitling the holders to object to alterations of a company’s business or objects shall be any debentures secured by a floating charge. (9) The special resolution altering a company’s business or objects shall require the same notice to the holders of such debentures as to members of the company; and in default of any provisions regulating the giving of notice to such debenture holders, the provisions of the company’s articles regulating the giving of notice to members shall apply. (10) Where a company passes a resolution altering its business or objects and– (a) an application is thereafter made to the court for its cancellation under this section, the company shall forthwith give notice to the Commission of the making of the application, and thereafter there shall be delivered to the Commission within 15 days from the date of its making– (i) a certified true copy of the order in the case of refusal to confirm the resolution; or 28 29 Mode of alteration of business or objects.

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (ii) a certified true copy of the order in the case of confirmation of the resolution together with a printed copy of the memorandum as thereby altered; (b) no application is made with respect to the alteration to a court under this section, the company shall, within 15 days from the end of the period for making such an application deliver to the Commission a copy of the resolution as passed; and if the Commission– (i) is satisfied, a printed copy of the memorandum as altered by the resolution shall forthwith be delivered to it; (ii) is not satisfied, it shall give notice in writing to the company of its decision and an appeal from its decision shall thereafter lie to the court at the suit of any person aggrieved, if made within 21 days from the date of the receipt by the company of the notice of the rejection, or within such extended time as the court may allow. (11) The court may, at any time extend the time for the delivery of documents to the Commission under paragraph (a) of subsection (10) for such period as the court may think proper. (12) If a company defaults in giving notice or delivering any document to the Commission as required by subsection (10) the company and every officer of the company who is in default shall be guilty of an offence and be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding Le3,000,000. (13) The validity of an alteration of the provision of a company’s memorandum with respect to the business or objects of the company shall not be questioned on the ground that it was not authorised by subsection (1) except in proceedings taken for the purpose (whether under this section or otherwise) before the expiration of 21 days after the date of the resolution in that behalf; and where the proceedings are taken otherwise than under this
section, subsections (9), (10), and (11) shall apply in relation thereto
as if they had been taken under this section, and as if an order declaring the alteration invalid were an order cancelling or an order dismissing the proceedings were an order confirming the alteration.
43. (1) Subject to the provisions of this Act and to the
conditions of the other provisions contained in its memorandum, a company may by special resolution alter or add to its articles. (2) Any alteration or addition so made in the articles shall, subject to this Act, be as valid as if originally contained therein and be subject, in like manner, to alteration by special resolution.
44. (1) A member of a company is not bound by an alteration
made in the memorandum or articles of the company after the date of which he became a member, if and so far as the alteration– (a) requires him to take or subscribe for more shares than the number held by him at the date on which the alteration is made; or (b) in any way increases his liability as at that date to contribute to the company’s share capital or otherwise to pay money to the company. (2) Subsection (1) operates notwithstanding anything in the memorandum or articles but does not apply in a case where the member agrees in writing, either before or after the alteration is made, to be bound by the alteration. 30 31 Alteration of articles. Effect of alteration of company’s members.

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 Re-registration of companies
45. (1) Subject to this section, a private company having a
share capital may be re-registered as a public company if– (a) a special resolution that it should be so reregistered is passed; and (b) an application for re-registration is delivered to the Commission together with the documents referred to in subsection (4). (2) The special resolution shall– (a) alter the company’s memorandum so that it states that the company is a public company; (b) make such alterations in the memorandum as are necessary to bring it in conformity with the requirements of this Act with respect to the memorandum of a public company; and (c) make such alterations in the company’s articles as are required in the circumstances. (3) The application shall be made to the Commission in writing and signed by at least one director and the secretary of the company. (4) The documents referred to in subsection (1) are– (a) a printed copy of the memorandum and articles as altered in pursuance of the resolution; (b) a copy of a written statement by the directors and the secretary certified on oath by them and showing that the paid-up capital of the company as at the date of the application is not less than 25 percent of the share capital as at that date; (c) a copy of the balance sheet of the company as at the date of the resolution or the preceding 6 months, whichever is later; (d) a statutory declaration by a director and the secretary of the company– (i) that the special resolution required under this section has been passed; and (ii) that the company’s net assets are not less than the aggregate of the paid-up share capital and un-distributable reserves; (e) a copy of a prospectus or statement in lieu of prospectus within fourteen days of the passing of the resolution. (5) If the Commission is satisfied that a company has complied with this section and may be re-registered as a public company, it shall– (a) retain the application and other documents delivered to it under this section; (b) register the application and other documents; and (c) issue to the company a certificate of incorporation stating that the company is a public company. (6) Upon the issue of a certificate of incorporation - (a) the company becomes a public company; and (b) any alterations in the memorandum and articles set out in the resolution shall take effect. 32 33 Re-registration of private company as public company.

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (7) The certificate of incorporation shall be prima facie evidence that– (a) the requirements of this Act in respect of reregistered conversion and of matters relating thereto have been complied with; and (b) the company is a public company. (8) A company shall not be converted under this section if it has previously been re-registered as an unlimited liability company.
46. (1) A public company may be re-registered as a private
company if–
(a) a special resolution complying with subsection (2) that it should be so registered is passed and has not been cancelled by the court under this section; (b) an application for the purpose signed by a director and the secretary of the company is delivered to the Commission together with a printed copy of the memorandum and articles of the company as altered by the resolution; and (c) either– (i) the period during which an application for the cancellation of the resolution under this section may be made has expired without such application having been made; or (ii) where such an application has been made, the application has been withdrawn or an order has been made confirming the resolution and a copy of that order has been delivered to the Commission. (2) The special resolution shall alter the company’s memorandum so that it states that the company is a private company and shall make such other alterations in the company’s memorandum and articles as are requisite in the circumstances. (3) Where the special resolution is passed, an application may be made to the court for the cancellation of the resolution, and the application may be made by either– (a) the holders of not less in the aggregate than 5 per cent in the nominal value of the company’s issued share capital, or any class thereof; or (b) not less than 5 per cent of the company’s members, but excluding any person who has consented to or voted in favour of the resolution. (4) The application shall be made within 28 days after the passing of the resolution and the applicant shall forthwith give notice to the Commission and to the company. (5) On the hearing of the application, the court shall make an order either cancelling or confirming the resolution and may make all such orders or give such directions as it may think expedient in the circumstances. (6) The company shall, within 15 days of the making of the court’s order, or within such other period as the court may by order direct, deliver to the Commission a certified true copy of the order. (7) If a company fails to deliver to the Commission a certified true copy of the order as required in subsection (6), the company and any officer of the company who is in default, shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding Le3,000,000. (8) If the Commission is satisfied that a company may be re-registered under this section, it shall– 34 35 Re-registration of public company as private company.

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (a) retain the application and other documents delivered to it under this section; (b) register the application and other documents; and (c) issue the company with a certificate of incorporation as a private company. (9) On the issue of the certificate– (a) the company shall become a private company; and (b) the alteration in the memorandum and articles set out in the resolution shall take effect accordingly. (10) The certificate shall be prima facie evidence that– (a) the requirements of this section in respect of re-registration and of matters precedent and incidental to it have been complied with; and (b) the company is a private company. (11) This section shall not apply to public companies whose members are more than 53.
47. (1) Subject to this section, a company which is registered
as limited may be re-registered as unlimited in pursuance of an application in that behalf complying with the requirements of this
section.
(2) A company shall be precluded from re-registering under this section if it is limited by virtue of re-registration under
section 48.
36 37
(3) A public company or a company which has previously been re-registered as unlimited company shall not be re-registered under this section. (4) An application under this section shall be signed by a director and the secretary of the company, and be lodged with the Commission together with the documents specified in subsection (6). (5) The application shall set out such alterations in the company’s memorandum and articles as are requisite to bring it into conformity with the requirements of this Act with respect to the memorandum and articles of a company to be formed as an unlimited company. (6) The documents to be lodged with the Commission are as follows:– (a) a special resolution by the company being registered as unlimited, subscribed by or on behalf of all the members of the company; (b) a statutory declaration made by the directors of the company stating– (i) that the persons by whom or on whose behalf the special resolution is subscribed constitute the whole membership of the company; and (ii) that if any of the members have not subscribed that form themselves, that the directors have taken all reasonable steps to satisfy themselves that each person who subscribed to it on behalf of a member was lawfully empowered to do so; and Re-registration of company limited by shares as unlimited.

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (c) a printed copy of the memorandum and the articles incorporating the alterations set out in the application. (7) If the Commission is satisfied that the company be registered under this section as an unlimited company, it shall retain the application and other documents lodged with it under this section and– (a) register the application and other documents; and (b) issue to the company a certificate of incorporation appropriate to the status to be assumed by virtue of this section. (8) On the issue of the certificate– (a) the status of the company, by virtue of the issue, shall be changed from limited to unlimited; (b) the alterations in the memorandum set out in the application and any alteration in the articles so set out shall take effect as if duly made by resolution of the company; and (c) this Act shall apply accordingly to the memorandum and articles as altered. (9) The certificate shall be prima facie evidence that the requirements in respect of the re-registration and of matters precedent and incidental to it have been complied with, and that the company was authorised to be re-registered under this Act in pursuance of this section and was duly so re-registered.
48. (1) Subject to this section, a company which is registered
as unlimited may be re-registered as limited by shares if a special resolution that it should be so re-registered is passed, and the requirements of this section are complied with in respect of the resolution or otherwise. (2) A company shall not, under this section be reregistered as a public company or company limited by guarantee; and a company shall be precluded from re-registering under it if it is unlimited by virtue of re-registration under section 47. (3) The special resolution shall state the proposed share capital and provide for the making of the alterations in the memorandum as are necessary to bring it into conformity with the requirements of this Act with respect to the memorandum of a company so limited, and the alterations in the articles as are requisite in the circumstances. (4) An application for the company to be re-registered as limited signed by a director and the secretary of the company shall be lodged with the Commission together with the necessary documents not earlier than the day on which the resolution was filed. (5) The documents to be lodged with the Commission shall be a printed copy of the– (a) memorandum as altered in pursuance of the resolution; and (b) articles as so altered. (6) If the Commission is satisfied that the company be reregistered under this section as a company limited by shares, it shall retain the application and other documents lodged with it under this
section and register them, and it shall issue to the company a certificate
of incorporation appropriate to the status to be assumed by the company by virtue of this section. (7) On the issue of the certificate– Re-registration of unlimited as limited by shares. 38 39

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (a) the status of the company shall, by virtue of the issue, change from unlimited to limited; and (b) the alterations in the memorandum specified in the resolution and the alterations in, and additions to, the articles so specified shall take effect accordingly. (8) The certificate shall be prima facie evidence that the requirements of this section in respect of re-registration and of matters precedent and incidental to it have been complied with, and that the company was authorised to be re-registered in pursuance of this
section and was duly so re-registered.
(9) The re-registration of an unlimited company as a limited company shall not affect the rights and liabilities of the company in respect of any debt or obligation incurred, or any contract entered into, by, to, with, or on behalf of the company before the reregistration, and those rights or liabilities may be enforced in the manner provided by Part IV as in the case of a company registered pursuant to this Part. Promoters
49. Any person who undertakes to take part in forming a
company with reference to a given project and to set it going and who takes the necessary steps to accomplish that purpose, or who, with regard to a newly formed company, undertakes a part in raising capital for it, shall prima facie be deemed a promoter of the company; but a person acting in a professional capacity for persons engaged in procuring the formation of the company shall not be deemed to be a promoter.
50. (1) A promoter stands in a fiduciary relationship to the
company and shall observe the utmost good faith towards the company in any transaction with it or on its behalf and shall compensate the company for any loss suffered by reason of his failure to do so. (2) A promoter who acquired any property or information in circumstances in which it was his duty as a fiduciary to acquire it on behalf of the company shall account to the company for the property and for any profit which he may have made from the use of the property or information. (3) Any transaction between a promoter and the company may be rescinded by the company unless, after full disclosure of all material facts known to the promoter, the transaction shall have been entered into or ratified on behalf of the company– (a) by the company’s board of directors independent of the promoter; (b) by all the members of the company; or (c) by the company at a general meeting at which neither the promoter nor the holders of any shares in which he is beneficially interested shall vote on the resolution to enter into or ratify that transaction. (4) No period of limitation shall apply to any proceedings brought by the company to enforce any of its rights under this section but in such proceedings the court may relieve a promoter in whole or in part and on such terms as it thinks fit from liability if in all the circumstances, including lapse of time, the court thinks it equitable to do so.
PART IV–ACTS BY OR ON BEHALF OF THE COMPANY
51. (1) A company shall act through its members in general
meeting or its board of directors or through officers or agents, appointed by or under authority derived from the members in general meeting or the board of directors. (2) Subject to this Act, the respective powers of the members in general meeting and the board of directors shall be determined by the company’s memorandum or articles . Persons promoting company. Duties and liabilities of promoters. Division of powers between general meeting and board of directors. 40 41

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (3) Except otherwise provided in the company’s memorandum or articles, the business of the company shall be managed by the board of directors who may exercise all such powers of the company as are not by this Act or the memorandum required to be exercised by the members in general meeting. (4) Unless otherwise provided in the memorandum, the board of directors when acting in good faith and with due diligence within the powers conferred upon them by this Act or the memorandum or articles shall not be bound to obey the directions or instructions of the members in general meeting. (5) Notwithstanding subsection (3), the members in general meeting may– (a) act in any matter if the board of directors are disqualified or are unable to act by reason of a deadlock in the board or otherwise; (b) ratify or confirm any action taken by the board of directors; (c) make recommendations to the board of directors regarding action to be taken by the board; or (d) institute legal proceedings in the name and on behalf of the company if the board of directors refuse or neglect to do so. (6) No alteration of the memorandum or articles shall invalidate any prior act of the board of directors which would have been valid if that alteration had not been made.
52. Unless otherwise provided in the memorandum or articles,
the board of directors may–
(a) exercise their powers through committees consisting of such member or members of their number as they think fit; and (b) from time to time appoint one or more of their members to the office of managing director and may delegate all or any of their powers to the managing director.
53. Any act of the members in general meeting, the board of
directors, or a managing director while carrying on in the usual way the business of the company shall be treated as the act of the company itself; and accordingly the company shall be criminally and civilly liable therefore to the same extent as if it were a natural person; but– (a) the company shall not incur civil liability to any person if that person had actual knowledge at the time of the transaction in question that the general meeting, board of directors, or managing director, as the case may be, had no power to act in the matter or had acted in an irregular manner or if, having regard to his position with, or relationship to, the company, he ought to have known of the absence of power or of the irregularity; (b) if in fact a business is being carried on by the company, the company shall not escape liability for acts undertaken in connection therewith merely because the business in question was not among the businesses authorised by the company’s memorandum.
54. (1) Except as provided in section 53, the acts of any officer
or agent of a company shall not be deemed to be acts of the company, unless– (a) the company, acting through its members in general meeting, board of directors, or managing director, shall have expressly or impliedly authorised the officer or agent to act in the matter; or Delegation to committees and managing directors. Acts of company. Acts of officers or agents. 42 43

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (b) the company, acting in paragraph (a), shall have represented the officer or agent as having its authority to act in the matter, in which event the company shall be civilly liable to any person who has entered into the transaction in reliance on such representation, unless such person had actual knowledge that the officer or agent had no authority or unless, having regard to his position with, or relationship to the company, he ought to have known of such absence of authority. (2) The authority of an officer or agent of the company may be conferred prior to action by him or by subsequent ratification; and knowledge of action by such officer or agent and acquiescence therein by all the members for the time being entitled to attend general meetings of the company or by the directors for the time being or by the managing director for the time being shall be equivalent to ratification by the members in general meeting, board of directors, or managing director, as the case may be. (3) Nothing in this section shall derogate from the vicarious liability of a company for the acts of its employees while acting within the scope of their employment. Constructive notice of registered documents
55. Subject to this Act, regarding particulars in the register, or
particulars of charges, a person shall not be deemed to have knowledge of the contents of the memorandum and articles of a company or of any other particulars, documents, or the contents of documents merely because such particulars or documents so registered by the Commission or referred to in any particulars or documents so registered, are available for inspection at the office of the company.
56. Any person having dealings with a company or with
someone deriving title under the company shall be entitled to make the following presumptions:– (a) that the company’s memorandum have been duly complied with; (b) that every person described in the particulars filed with the Commission pursuant to this Act as a director, managing director or secretary of the company, or represented by the company acting through its members in general meeting, board of directors or managing director, as an officer or agent of the company, has been duly appointed and has authority to exercise the powers and perform the duties customarily exercised or performed by a director, managing director, or secretary of a company carrying on business of the type carried on by the company or customarily exercised or performed by an officer or agent of the type concerned; (c) that the secretary of the company, and every other officer or agent of the company having authority to issue documents or certified copies of documents on behalf of the company has authority to warrant the genuineness of the documents or the accuracy of the copies so issued; (d) that a document has been duly sealed by the company if it bears what purports to be the seal of the company attested by what purports to be the signatures of two persons who, in accordance with paragraph (b) can be assumed to be a director and the secretary of the company, and the company and those deriving title under it shall be estopped from denying the truth of any such assumption but– Abolition of constructive notice of registered documents. Presumption of regularity. 44 45

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (a) a person shall not be entitled to make such presumptions if he had actual knowledge to the contrary or if, having regard to his position with, or relationship to, the company, he ought to have known the contrary; (b) a person shall not be entitled to assume that any one or more of the directors of the company have been appointed to act as a committee of the board of directors or that an officer or agent of the company has the company’s authority by reason only that the company’s memorandum or articles provide that authority to act in the matter may be delegated to a committee or to an officer or agent.
57. Where, in accordance with this Part a company would be
liable to a third party for the acts of any officer or agent, the company shall, except where there is collusion between the officer or agent and the third party, be liable notwithstanding that the officer or agent has acted fraudulently or forged a document purporting to be sealed by or signed on behalf of the company. Company’s contracts
58. (1) Contracts on behalf of a company may be made, varied
or discharged as follows:–
(a) any contract which if made between individuals would be required by law to be in writing under seal, or which could be varied or discharged only by writing under seal, may be made, varied or discharged, as the case may be, in writing under the common seal of the company; (b) any contract which if made between individuals would be required by law to be in writing under seal, or which could be varied, or discharged only by writing under seal, may be made, varied or discharged as the case may be, in writing signed in the name or on behalf of the company; and (c) any contract which if made between individuals would be valid although made by parol only and not reduced into writing or which could be varied or discharged by parol, may be made, varied or discharged, as the case may be, by parol on behalf of the company. (2) A contract made according to this section shall be effectual in law, and shall bind the company and its successors and all other parties thereto, their heirs, executors, or administrators, as the case may be; and may be varied or discharged in the same manner in which it is authorised by this section to be made.
59. (1) Any contract or other transaction purporting to be
entered into by the company or by any person on behalf of the company prior to its formation may be ratified by the company after its formation and thereupon the company shall become bound by and entitled to the benefit thereof as if it had been in existence at the date of such contract or other transaction and had been a party thereto. (2) Prior to ratification by the company, the person who purported to act in the name of or on behalf of the company shall, in the absence of express agreement to the contrary, be personally bound by the contract or other transaction and be entitled to the benefit thereof.
60. A company shall have a common seal the use of which
shall be regulated by its articles.
Liability of company not affected by fraud or forgery of officer. Form of contract. Pre-incorporation contracts. Common seal of company. 46 47

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009
61. (1) A company whose objects require or comprise the
transaction of business in foreign countries may, if authorised by its articles, have for use in any territory, district, or place outside Sierra Leone, an official seal, which shall be a facsimile of the common seal of the company, with the addition on its face of the name of every territory, district, or place where it is to be used. (2) A company having such an official seal may, by writing under its common seal, authorise any person appointed for the purpose in any territory, district, or place outside Sierra Leone, affix the seal to any deed or other document to which the company is party in that territory, district or place. (3) The authority of the agent shall, as between the company and any person dealing with the agent, continue during the period, if any, mentioned in the instrument conferring the authority, or if no period is therein mentioned, then until notice of the revocation or determination of the agent’s authority has been given to the person dealing with him. (4) The person affixing such official seal shall, by writing under his hand, on the deed or other document to which the seal is affixed, certify the date on which and place at which it is affixed. (5) A deed or other document to which an official seal is duly affixed shall bind the company as if it had been sealed with the common seal of the company.
62. (1) A bill of exchange or promissory note shall be deemed
to have been made, accepted, or endorsed if made, or by or on account of a company. (2) The company and its successor shall be bound thereby if the company is in accordance with section 53, liable for the acts of those who made, accepted or endorsed it in its name or on its behalf or account, and the signature by the director or the secretary on behalf of the company shall be deemed to be a signature by procuration for the purposes of section 25 of the Bills of Exchange Act.
63. A document or proceeding requiring authentication by a
company may be signed by a director, secretary or other authorised officer of the company and need not be under its common seal .
PART V–MEMBERSHIP OF COMPANY
64. (1) The subscribers of the memorandum of a company
shall be deemed to have agreed to become members of the company, and on its registration shall be entered as members in its register of members. (2) Every other person who agrees in writing to become a member of a company, and whose name is entered in its register of members, shall be a member of the company. (3) In the case of a company having a share capital, each member shall be a shareholder of the company and shall hold at least one share.
65. (1) On the commencement of this Act, an individual shall
not be capable of becoming a member of a company if– (a) he is of unsound mind and has been so found by a court; (b) he is an undischarged bankrupt, or (c ) he is less than 18 years of age. (2) After the commencement of this Act, a person who is less than 18 or a person under the age of 18 years shall not be counted for the purpose of determining the legal minimum number of members of a company. (3) A body corporate in liquidation shall not be capable of becoming a member of a company. (4) Where at the commencement of this Act, any person falling within paragraph (a) of subsection (1) is a member of a company by reason of being a shareholder of the company, his share shall vest in his committee or trustee, as the case may be. Official seal for use abroad. Bills of exchange and promissory notes. Cap 229. Definition of “member”. 48 49 Capacity to be member. Authentication.

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (5) Where after the commencement of this Act, any shareholder purports to transfer any shares to a person falling within subsection (1), the purported transfer shall not vest the title in the shares in that person but the title shall remain in the purported transferor or his personal representative who shall hold the shares in trust for that person during the period of his incapacity. (6) Where a member dies intestate, his personal representative shall hold his shares in trust for the persons referred to in subsection (1) during the period of their incapacity. (7) Membership of a company with shares shall continue until– (a) a valid transfer of all shares held by the member is registered by the company; (b) all the shares are transmitted to another person by operation of law; (c) the shares are forfeited for non-payment of calls under a provision in the memorandum; or (d) until the member dies. (8) Membership of a company limited by guarantee shall continue until– (a) the member dies or validly retires; or (b) the member is excluded from membership in accordance with any provision in the memorandum or articles.
66. Subject to section 96, every member shall, notwithstanding
any provision in the articles, have a right to attend any general meeting of the company and to speak and vote on any resolution before the meeting; but the articles may provide that a member shall not be entitled to attend and vote unless calls or other sums payable by him in respect of shares in the company have been paid.
67. If at any time a company ceases to have the number of
members provided in section 15 and it carries on business for more than 6 months without at least one member, every person who is a director of the company during the time it so carries on business after those 6 months shall be jointly and severally liable for the payment of all the debts and liabilities of the company incurred during that period.
68. If any person falsely and deceitfully personates any member
of a company and thereby obtains or endeavours to obtain any benefit due to the member, he shall be guilty of an offence and be liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years or to a fine not exceeding Le 8,000,000 or to both the fine and imprisonment. Register of members
69. (1) Every company shall keep a register of its members
and enter in it the particulars required by this section. (2) There shall be entered in the register– (a) the names and addresses of the members; (b) the date on which each person was registered as a member; and (c) the date at which any person ceased to be a member. (3) The following applies in the case of a company having a share capital:– (a) with the names and addresses of the members there shall be entered a statement– (i) of the shares held by each member, distinguishing each share by its number (so long as the share has a number) and, where the company has more than one class of issued shares, by class; and Right of member to attend meetings and vote. Companies ceasing to have members. Personation of members. Obligation to keep up and enter register. 50 51

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (ii) of the amount paid or agreed to be considered as paid on the shares of each member; (b) where the company has converted any of its shares into stock and given notice of the conversion to the Commission, the register shall show the amount and class of stock held by each member, instead of the amount of shares and the particulars relating to shares specified in paragraph (a). (4) In the case of a company which does not have a share capital but has more than one class of members, there shall be entered in the register, with the names and addresses of the members, the class to which each member belongs. (5) If a company defaults in complying with this section, the company and every officer of it who is in default is liable to a default fine and, for a continued contravention, to a daily default fine of Le500,000 (6) Any entry relating to a former member of the company may be removed from the register after the expiration of 10 years from the date on which he ceases to be a member. (7) Liability incurred by a company from the making or deletion of an entry in its register of members, or from a failure to make or delete the entry, is not enforceable more than 10 years after the date on which the entry was made or deleted or, in the case of such failure, the failure first occurred.
70. (1) A company’s register of members shall be kept at its
registered office, except that–
(a) if the work of making it up is done at another office of the company, it may be kept there; and (b) if the company arranges with some other person for the making up of the register to be undertaken on its behalf by that other person, it may be kept at the office of the other person at which the work is done. (2) Subject to this section, every company shall send notice in the prescribed form to the Commission, of the place where its register of members is kept, and of any change in that place. (3) The notice need not be sent if the register has, at all times since it came into existence been kept at the company’s registered office. (4) If a company defaults for 14 days in complying with subsection (2), the company and every officer of it who is in default is liable to a fine and, for continued contravention, to a daily default fine, of Le500,000
71. (1) Every company having more than 50 members shall,
unless the register of members is in such a form as to constitute in itself an index, keep an index of the names of the members of the company and shall, within 14 days after the date on which any alteration is made in the register of members, make any necessary alteration in the index. (2) The index shall, in respect of each member contain a sufficient indication to enable the account of that member in the register to be readily found. (3) The index shall be at all times kept at the same place as the register of members. (4) If default is made in complying with this section, the company and every officer of it who is in default is liable to a fine and for continued contravention, to a daily default fine of Le500,000
72. (1) On the issue of a share warrant, the company shall
strike out of its register of members the name of the member then entered in its as holding the shares specified in the warrant as if he had ceased to be a member, and shall enter in the register the following particulars:– Location of register. Index of members. Entries in register in relation to share warrants. 52 53

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (a) the fact of the issue of the warrant; (b) a statement of the shares included in the warrant, distinguishing each share by its number so long as the share has a number; and (c) the date of the issue of the warrant. (2) Subject to the company’s articles, the bearer of a share warrant is entitled, on surrendering it for cancellation, to have his name entered as a member in the register of members. (3) The company shall be responsible for any loss incurred by any person by reason of the company entering in the register the name of a bearer of a share warrant in respect of the shares specified in it without the warrant being surrendered and cancelled. (4) Until the warrant is surrendered, the particulars specified in subsection (1) are deemed to be those required by this Act to be entered in the register of members and on the surrender, the date of the surrender shall be entered. (5) Subject to this Act relating to the directors’ share qualification, the bearer of a share warrant may, if the articles of the company so provide, be deemed a member of the company within the meaning of this Act, either to the full extent or for any purposes defined in the articles.
73. (1) Except when the register of members is closed under
thisAct, the register and the index of members’ names shall, during business hours be open to the inspection of any member of the company without charge, and of any other person on payment of the appropriate charge. (2) The reference to business hours is subject to such reasonable restrictions as the company in general meeting may impose, but not less than 2 hours in each day is to be allowed for inspection. (3) Any member of the company or other person may require a copy of the register, or of any part of it, on payment of the appropriate charge; and the company shall cause any copy so required by a person to be sent to him within 10 days beginning with the day next following that on which the requirement is received by the company. (4) The appropriate charge is– (a) under subsection (1), Le5,000 or such sum as the company may determine for each inspection; and (b) under subsection (3) Le5,000 or such sum as the company may determine for every 100 words (or fraction of 100 words) required to be copied. (5) If an inspection required under this section is refused, or if a copy so required is not sent within the proper period, the company and every officer of it who is in default shall be guilty of an offence and be liable in respect of each offence to a fine not exceeding Le.3,000,000. (6) In the case of such refusal or default the court may, by order, compel an immediate inspection of the register and index, or direct that the copies required be sent to the persons requiring them.
74. Where under paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section
70, the register of members is kept at the office of a person other than the company, and by reason of any default of his the company fails to comply with– (a) subsection (2) of section 70; (b) subsection (3) of section 71; or (c) section 73; Inspection of register and index. Non-compliance with sections 70 71 and 73. 54 55

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 or with any requirement of this Act as to the production of the register, that other person is liable to the same penalties as if he were an officer of the company who was in default, and the power of the court under subsection (6) of section 73 extends to the making of orders against that other person and his officers and servants.
75. A company may, on giving notice by advertisement in a
local newspaper circulating in the district in which the company’s registered office is situated, close the register of members for any time or times not exceeding in the whole 30 days in each year.
76. (1) If–
(a) the name of any person is, without sufficient cause, entered in or omitted from a company’s register of members; or (b) default is made or unnecessary delay takes place in entering on the register the fact of any person having ceased to be a member, the person aggrieved, or any member of the company, or the company, may apply to the court for rectification of the register. (2) The court may either refuse the application or may order rectification of the register and payment by the company of any damages sustained by any party aggrieved. (3) On an application under subsection (1), the court may decide any question relating to the title of a person who is a party to the application to have his name entered in or omitted from the register, whether the question arises between members or alleged members, or between members or alleged members on the one hand and the company on the other hand, and generally may decide any question necessary or expedient to be decided for rectification of the register. (4) In the case of a company required by this Act to send a list of its members to the Commission, the court, when making an order for rectification of the register, shall by its order direct notice of the rectification to be given to the Commission.
77. No notice of any trust, express, implied or constructive
shall be entered on the register or be receivable by the Commission.
78. The register of members is prima facie evidence of any
matters which is by this Act directed or authorised to be entered in it. Liability of members
79. (1) Prior to the winding up of a company a member of the
company with shares shall be liable to contribute the balance, if any, of the amount payable in respect of the shares held by him in accordance with the terms of the agreement under which the shares were issued or in accordance with a call validly made by the company pursuant to its articles. (2) Where any contribution has become due and payable by reason of a call validly made by the company pursuant to the articles or where, under the terms of any agreement with the company, a member has undertaken personal liability to make future payments in respect of shares issued to him, the liability of the member shall continue notwithstanding that the shares held by him are subsequently transferred or forfeited under a provision to that effect in the articles, but his liability shall cease if and when the company shall have received payment in full of all such moneys in respect of the shares. (3) Subject to subsections (1) and (2), no member or past member shall be liable to contribute to the assets of the company, except in the event of its being wound up. Disclosure of beneficial interest in shares
80. (1) Notwithstanding section 81, a public company may
by notice in writing require any member of the company, within such reasonable time as is specified in the notice– Power to close register. Power of court to rectify register. Trust not to be entered on register. Register to be evidence. Liability of members. Power of company to require disclosure. 56 57

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (a) to indicate in writing the capacity in which he holds any shares in the company; and (b) if he holds them otherwise than as beneficial owner, to indicate in writing the particulars of the identity of persons interested in the shares in question and whether persons interested in the same shares are parties to any agreement or arrangement relating to the exercise of any rights conferred by the holding of the shares. (2) Where a company is informed in pursuance of a notice given to any person under subsection (1), or under this subsection that any other person has an interest in any shares in the company, the company may, by notice in writing, require that other person within such reasonable time as is specified in the notice– (a) to indicate in writing the capacity in which he holds that interest; (b) if he holds it otherwise than as beneficial owner, to indicate in writing, so far as it lies within his knowledge, the persons who have any interests in them (either by name and address or by other particulars sufficient to enable them to be identified) and the nature of their interests. (3) Whenever a company receives information from a person in pursuance of a requirement imposed on him under this
section with respect to shares held by a member of the company, it
shall be under an obligation to inscribe against the name of the member in the register of members– (a) the fact that the requirement was imposed; and (b) the information received in pursuance of the requirement. (4) Subject to subsection (5), any person who– (a) fails to comply with a notice under this
section; or
(b) in purported compliance with such a notice, makes any statement which he knows to be false in a material particular or recklessly makes any statement which is false in a material particular, shall be guilty of an offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to a fine of Le500,000 for each day during which the default continues. (5) A person shall not be guilty of an offence under paragraph (a) of subsection (4), if he proves that the information in question was already in the possession of the company or that the requirement to give it was for any other reason frivolous or vexatious.
81. (1) A person who is a substantial shareholder in a public
company shall give notice in writing to the company stating his name and address and giving full particulars of the shares held by him or his nominee (naming the nominee) by virtue of which he is a substantial shareholder. (2) A person is a substantial shareholder in a public company if he holds by himself or by his nominee, shares in the company which entitle him to exercise at least 10 per cent of the unrestricted voting rights at any general meeting of the company. (3) A person required to give a notice under subsection (1) shall do so within 14 days after that person becomes aware that he is a substantial shareholder. (4) The notice shall be so given notwithstanding that the person has ceased to be a substantial shareholder before the expiration of the period referred to in subsection (3). Obligation of disclosure by substantial shareholders in public company. 58 59

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (5) A person who fails to comply with this section shall be guilty of an offence and be liable to a fine of Le500,000 for each day during which the default continues.
82. (1) A person who ceases to be a substantial shareholder
in a public company shall give notice in writing to the company stating his name and the date on which he ceases to be a substantial shareholder and giving full particulars of the circumstances by reason of which he ceased to be a substantial shareholder. (2) A person required to give notice under subsection (1), shall do so within 14 days after he becomes aware that he has ceased to be a substantial shareholder.
83. (1) A public company shall keep a register in which it
shall enter–
(a) in alphabetical order, the names of persons from whom it has received a notice under
section 81;
(b) against each name so entered, the information given in the notice and where it receives a notice under section 82, the information given in that notice. (2) The register shall be kept at the place where the register of members required to be kept under section 70, is kept and subject to the same right of inspection as the register of members. (3) The Commission may, at any time in writing, require the company to furnish it with a copy of the register or any part of the register and the company shall furnish the Commission within 14 days after the day on which the requirement is received by the company. (4) If the company ceases to be a public company, it shall continue to keep the register until the end of the period of 6 years beginning with the day next following that on which it ceases to be such a company. (5) A company shall not, by reason of anything done for the purposes of this section, be effected with notice of, or put on enquiry as to, a right of a person to or in relation to a share in the company. (6) If default is made in complying with this section, the company and every officer of the company who is in default shall be liable to a fine not exceeding Le3,000,000 and a fine of Le500,000 for each day that the default continues.
84. The matter relating to beneficial interests in shares required
by section 80 to be disclosed shall be entered in a different part of the register of interests which shall be so made up that the entries inscribed in it appear in chronological order.
PART VI–SHARE CAPITAL
Minimum share capital
85. (1) Where after the commencement of this Act, a
memorandum delivered to the Commission under section 32 states that the association to be registered is to be registered with shares, the amount of the share capital stated in the memorandum to be registered shall not be less than 25 per cent of the shares taken up and paid up by the subscribers of the memorandum. (2) No company having a share capital shall, after the commencement of this Act, be registered with share capital less than the minimum share capital. (3) Where at the commencement of this Act, the share capital of an existing company is less than the minimum share capital, the company shall, not later than 30 days after the appointed day, increase the share capital to an amount not less than the minimum share capital of which not less than 25 per cent shall be issued. (4) Subject to sub-section (3) and to section 88, where a company is registered with shares, its issued capital shall not at any time be less than 25 per cent of the share capital. Person ceasing to be substantial shareholder to notify company. Register of interests in shares. Registration of interests to be disclosed. Authorised minimum share capital. 60 61

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (5) Where a company to which subsection (3) applies fails to comply with the subsection, it shall be guilty of an offence and be liable to a fine of Le3,000,000 and every officer who is in default shall be liable to a fine of Le500,000 for each day during which the default continues. Alteration of share capital
86. (1) A company having a share capital may in general
meeting and not otherwise alter the conditions of its share capital so as to– (a) consolidate and divide all or any part of its share capital into shares of larger amount than its existing shares; (b) convert all or any of its paid-up shares into stock, and reconvert that stock into paid-up shares of any denomination; (c) subdivide its shares or any of them, into shares of smaller amounts than is fixed by the memorandum, so, however, that the subdivision of the proportion between the amount paid and the amount, if any, unpaid on each reduced share shall be the same as it was in the case of the share from which the reduced share is derived; (d) cancel shares which, at the date of the passing of the resolution in that behalf, have not been taken or agreed to be taken by any person, and diminish the amount of its share capital by the amount of the shares so cancelled. (2) Cancellation of shares made in pursuance of subsection (1) shall not be deemed to be reduction of share capital within the meaning of this Act. (3) If a company alters its share capital under this section, it shall notify the Commission of the alteration within one month of the alteration. (4) If default is made in complying with this section the company and every officer of the company who is in default shall be guilty of an offence and be liable to a fine of Le500,000 for each day during which the default continues.
87. (1) A company having a share capital, whether or not the
shares have been converted into stock, may in general meeting and not otherwise, increase its share capital by new shares of such amount as it thinks expedient. (2) Where a company has increased its share capital it shall, within 15 days after the passing of the resolution authorising the increase, give to the Commission, notice of the increase and the Commission shall record the increase. (3) Where in connection with the increase of shares any approval is required to be obtained under any enactment other than this Act, the Commission may, on application by a company extend the time within which to give notice of the increase to the Commission. (4) The notice to be given under this section shall include any particulars prescribed with respect to the classes of shares affected and the condition subject to which the new shares have been or are to be issued and the notice shall be accompanied by a printed copy of the resolution authorising the increase. (5) If default is made in complying with the provisions of this section, the company in default shall be liable to a fine of Le500,000 for each day during which the default continues.
88. Where a company passes a resolution increasing its share
capital, the increase shall not take effect unless– Alteration of share capital by consolidation etc. Increase of share capital and notice of increase. Increase of paid-up capital on increase of shares. 62 63

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (a) within 6 months of giving notice of the increase to the Commission not less than 25 per cent of the share capital including the increase has been issued; and (b) the directors have delivered to the Commission a statutory declaration verifying that fact.
89. (1) Subject to confirmation by the court, a company
having a share capital may, if so authorised by its articles, by special resolution reduce its share capital in any way. (2) In particular, and without prejudice to subsection (1), the company may– (a) extinguish or reduce the liability on any of its shares in respect of share capital not paid up; (b) either with or without extinguishing or reducing liability on any of its shares cancel any paid-up share capital which is lost or unrepresented by available assets; or (c) either with or without extinguishing or reducing liability on any of its shares, pay off any paid-up share capital which is in excess of the company’s wants, and the company may, if and so far as is necessary, alter its memorandum by reducing the amount of its share capital and of its shares accordingly. (3) A special resolution under this section shall in this Act be referred to as “a resolution for reducing share capital”. Reduction of share capital
90. (1) Except as authorised by this Act, a company having a
share capital shall not reduce its issued share capital. (2) For the purpose of this and other sections relating to reduction of share capital any issue of share capital shall include the share premium account and any capital redemption reserve account of a company, and “issued share” capital shall be construed accordingly. (3) In this section “share premium account” means the difference between par value of shares and the amount realized on the sale of shares.
91. (1) Where a company has passed a resolution for
reducing its share capital, it may apply to the court for an order confirming the reduction. (2) If the proposed reduction of share capital involves either– (a) diminution of liability in respect of unpaid share capital; or (b) subject to subsection (6), the payment to a shareholder of any paid up share capital, and in any other case the court so directs, subsections (3), (4) and (5) shall have effect. (3) Every creditor of the company who at the date fixed by the court is entitled to any debt or claim which, if that date were the commencement of the winding up of the company, would be admissible in proof against the company, shall be entitled to object to the reduction of capital. (4) The court shall settle a list of creditors entitled to object, and for that purpose– Special resolution for reduction of share capital. Restriction on reduction of issued share capital. Application to court for order of confirmation. 64 65

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (a) shall ascertain, as far as possible without requiring an application from any creditor, the names of those creditors and the nature and amount of their debts or claims; (b) may publish notices fixing a day or days within which creditors not entered on the list are to claim to be so entered or are to be excluded from the right of objecting to the reduction of capital. (5) If a creditor entered on the list whose debt or claim is not discharged or has not been determined does not consent to the reduction, the court may, if it thinks fit, dispense with the consent of that creditor, on the company securing payment of his debt or claim by appropriating (as the court may direct) the following amount if:– (a) the company admits the full amount of the debt or claim or, though not admitting it, is willing to provide for it, then the full amount of the debt or claim; (b) the company does not admit, and is not willing to provide for, the full amount of the debt or claim, or if the amount is contingent or not ascertained, then an amount fixed by the court after the same enquiry and adjudication as if the company were being wound up by the court. (6) If a proposed reduction of share capital involves either the diminution of any liability in respect of unpaid share capital or the payment to any shareholder of any paid-up share capital, the court may, if having regard to any special circumstances of the case it thinks proper to do so, direct that subsections (3) to (5) shall not apply as regards any class or classes of creditors.
92. (1) The court, if satisfied–
(a) with respect to every creditor of the company who under section 91 is entitled to object to the reduction of capital that either– (i) his consent to the reduction has been obtained; or (ii) his debt or claim has been discharged or has determined, or has been secured; and (b) that the share capital does not by this reduction fall below the minimum share capital, may make an order confirming the reduction on such terms and conditions as it thinks fit. (2) Where the court so orders, it may also– (a) if for any special reason it thinks proper to do so, make an order directing that the company shall, during such period (commencing on or at any time after the date of the order) as is specified in the order, add to its name as its last words “and reduced”; (b) make an order requiring the company to publish (as the court directs) the reasons for reduction of capital or such other information in regard to it as the court thinks expedient with a view to giving proper information to the public and (if the court thinks fit) the causes which led to the reduction). (3) Where the company is ordered to add to its name the words “and reduced”, those words shall until the expiration of the period specified in the order, be deemed to be part of the company’s name. Court order confirming reduction. 66 67

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009
93. (1) The Commission, on production to it of the order of
the court confirming the reduction of a company’s share capital, and the delivery to it of a copy of the order and of the minutes of the meeting of the company (approved by the court) showing, with respect to the company’s share capital as altered by the order – (a) the amount of the share capital; (c) the number of shares into which it is to be divided, and the amount of each share; and (c) the amount (if any) at the date of the registration deemed to be paid up on each share, shall register the order and minutes. (2) On the registration of the order and minutes, and not before, the resolution for reducing the share capital as confirmed by the order so registered shall take effect. (3) A notice of the registration shall be published in such manner as the court may direct. (4) The Commission shall certify the registration of the order and minutes and the certificate– (a) may be either signed by the Registrar or authenticated by the official seal of the Commission; (b) shall be prima facie evidence that all the requirements of this Act with respect to the reduction of share capital have been complied with, and that the company’s share capital is as stated in the minutes. (5) The minutes when registered shall be deemed to be substituted for the corresponding part of the company’s memorandum, and valid and alterable as if it had been originally contained in it. (6) The substitution of such minutes for part of the company’s memorandum shall be deemed an alteration of the memorandum.
PART VII –SHARES
Nature of shares
94. Subject to this Act, the rights and liabilities attaching to
the share of a company shall–
(a) be dependent on the terms of issue and of the company’s articles; and (b) include the right to attend any general meeting of the company and to vote at such a meeting.
95. The shares or other interest of a member in a company
shall be personal estate transferable in the manner provided in the articles of association of the company.
96. (1) Unless otherwise provided by any other enactment
or the articles of association–
(a) any shares issued by a company after the date of commencement of this Act, shall carry the right on a poll at a general meeting of the company to one vote in respect of each share and no company may by its articles or otherwise authorise the issue of shares which carry more than one vote in respect of each share or which do not carry any right to vote; and Registration of order and minutes of reduction. Rights and liabilities attached to shares. Shares as transferable property. Prohibition of non-voting and weighted shares. 68 69

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (b) where, at the commencement of this Act, any share of a company carries more than one vote or does not carry any vote at a general meeting of the company, such a share shall be deemed, as from the appointed day, to carry one vote only. (2) If a company contravenes any of the provisions of this section, the company and any officer in default shall be guilty of an offence and be liable to a daily default fine of Le500,000 and any resolution passed in contravention of this section shall be void. (3) Nothing in this section shall– (a) affect any right attached to a preference share under section 119; and (b) apply to a private company. Issue of shares
97. Subject to any limitation in the articles of a company with
respect to the number of shares which may be issued, and any preemptive rights prescribed in the articles in relation to the shares, a company shall have the power, at such times and for such consideration as it shall determine, to issue shares up to the share capital of the company.
98. (1) A company may, where so authorised by its articles,
issue classes of shares.
(2) Shares shall not be treated as being of the same class unless they rank equally for all purposes.
99. (1) Shares of a company may be issued at a premium.
(2) Where a company issues shares at a premium, whether for cash or otherwise, a sum equal to the aggregate amount or value of the premium on those shares shall be transferred to an account, to be called “the share premium account”; and the provision of this Act relating to the reduction of share capital of a company shall, except as provided in this section, apply as if the share premium account were paid up share capital of the company. (3) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in subsection (2), the share premium account may be applied by the company in paying up unissued shares of the company to be issued to members of the company as fully paid bonus shares, in writing off– (a) the preliminary expenses of the company; or (b) the expenses of, or the commission paid or discount allowed on, issue of shares of the company; or in providing for the premium payable on redemption of any redeemable share of the company. (4) Where a company has, before the commencement of this Act issued any shares at a premium, this section shall apply as if the shares had been issued after the commencement of this Act; but any part of the premium which has been so applied that it does not at the commencement of this Act form an identifiable part of the company’s reserves within the meaning of this Act shall be disregarded in determining the sum to be included in the share premium account.
100. (1) Subject to this section, it shall be lawful for a company
to issue at a discount shares in the company of a class of shares already issued if– (a) the issue of the shares at a discount is authorised by resolution passed in general meeting of the company, and thereafter is sanctioned by the court; Power of companies to issue shares. Issue of classes of shares. Issue of shares at a premium. Issue of shares at discount. 70 71

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (b) the resolution specifies the maximum rate of discount at which the shares are to be issued; (c) the shares to be issued at a discount are issued within the month after the date on which the issue is sanctioned by the court or within such extended time as the court may allow; and (d) not less than one year must at the date of the issue have elapsed since the date on which the company was entitled to commence business. (2) Where a company has passed a resolution authorising the issue of shares at a discount, it may apply to the court for an order sanctioning the issue, and on such application the court may, having regard to all the circumstances of the case, if it thinks proper to do so, make an order sanctioning the issue on such terms and conditions as it thinks fit. (3) Every prospectus relating to the issue of the shares and every balance sheet issued by the company subsequent to the issue of shares, shall contain particulars of the discount allowed on the issue of the shares or of so much of that discount as has not been written off at the date of the issue of the prospectus. (4) If default is made in complying with subsection (3), the company and every officer of the company who is in default shall be guilty of an offence and be liable to a fine of Le500,000 for each day during which the default continues.
101. Subject to section 133, a company limited by shares may, if
so authorised by its articles, issue preference shares which shall, or at the option of the company, be liable to be redeemed.
102. (1) Where a company has purported to issue or allot
shares and the creation, issue or allotment of those shares was invalid by reason of any provision of this Act or any other enactment or of the articles of the company or otherwise, or the terms of issue or allotment were inconsistent with or unauthorised by such provision, the court may, upon application made by the company or by a holder or mortgagee of those shares or by a creditor of the company, and upon being satisfied that in all the circumstances it is just and equitable to do so, validate the issue or allotment of those shares or confirm the terms of the issue allotment, as the case may be. (2) In every case where the court validates an issue or allotment of shares or confirms the terms of an issue or allotment in accordance with subsection (1), it shall make, upon payment of the prescribed fees, an order which shall be proof of the validation or confirmation and upon the issue of the order, those shares shall be deemed to have been issued or allotted upon the relevant terms of issue or allotment. Allotment of shares
103. Subject to this Act, the power to allot shares shall be vested
in the company which may delegate it to the directors, subject to any conditions of directions that may be imposed in the articles or from time to time by the company in general meeting.
104. The following provisions shall apply in respect of an
application for an allotment of issued shares of a company:– (a) in the case of a private company or a public company where the issue of shares is not public, there shall be submitted to the company a written application signed by the person wishing to purchase shares and indicating the number of shares required; (b) in the case of a public company, subject to any conditions imposed by the Commission where the issue of shares is public, there shall Issue of redeemable preference shares. Validation of improperly issued shares. Authority to allot shares. Method of application and allotment. 72 73

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 be returned to the company a form of application as prescribed in the company’s articles, duly completed and signed by the person wishing to purchase shares; (c) upon the receipt of an application, a company shall, where it wholly or partially accepts the application, make an allotment to the applicant and within 21 days after the allotment notify the applicant of the fact of the allotment and the number of shares allotted to him; (d) the company shall, not later than 7 days after receiving the application in writing notify applicants who are unsuccessful and within 14 days after the end of the allotments refund the money of every unsuccessful applicant; (e) an applicant under this section may within 10 days before the closure of any public offer, withdraw his application by written notice to the company.
105. An allotment of shares made and notified to an applicant in
accordance with section 104, shall be an acceptance by the company of the offer by the applicant to purchase its shares and the offer takes effect on the date on which the allotment is made by the company.
106. Subject to sections 114 to 117, a company may in its articles,
make provision with respect to payments on allotment of its shares.
107. (1) No allotment shall be made of any share capital of a
company offered to the public for subscription unless the amount stated in the prospectus as the minimum amount which, in the opinion of the directors shall be raised by the issue of share capital in order to provide for matters specified in subsection (6) has been subscribed, and the sum payable on application for the amount so stated has been paid to and received by the company. (2) For the purposes of subsection (1), a sum shall be deemed to have been paid to and received by the company if a cheque for that sum has been received in good faith by the company and the directors of the company have no reason for suspecting that the cheque will not be paid. (3) The amount stated in the prospectus shall be reckoned exclusively of any amount payable otherwise than in cash and is in this Act referred to as “the minimum subscription”. (4) The amount payable on application on each share shall not be less than 5 per cent of the nominal amount of the share. (5) The amount paid on application shall be set apart by the directors as a separate fund and shall not be available for the purposes of the company or the satisfaction of its debts until the minimum subscription has been made up. (6) If the conditions specified in this section have not been complied with on the expiration of 30 days after the closure of the public offering, all moneys received from applicants for shares shall be forthwith repaid to them without interest, and, if such money is not so repaid within 40 days after the closure of the public offering, the directors of the company shall be jointly and severally liable to repay that money with interest at the rate of five per cent per annum from the expiration of the fortieth day; but a director shall not be liable if he proves that the default in the repayment of the money was not due to any misconduct or negligence on his part. (7) Any condition requiring or binding any applicant for shares to waive compliance with any requirement of this section shall be void. (8) This section, except subsection (3), shall not apply to any allotment of shares subsequent to the first allotment of shares offered to the public for subscription. Allotment as acceptance of offer. Payment on allotment. Prohibition of allotment unless minimum subscription received. 74 75

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009
108. (1) A company having a share capital which–
(a) does not issue a prospectus on or with reference to its formation; or (b) issued such a prospectus but has not proceeded to allot any of the shares, shall not allot any of its shares or debentures unless at least 3 days before the first allotment of either shares or debentures there has been delivered to the Commission for registration a statement in lieu of prospectus, signed by every person who is named in it as a director or a proposed director of the company or by his agent authorised in writing in the form containing the particulars set out in the Second
Schedule .
(2) This section shall not apply to a private company. (3) If a company acts in contravention of this section, the company and every director of the company who knowingly authorises or permits the contravention shall be guilty of an offence and be liable to a fine not exceeding Le3,000,000.
109. (1) An allotment made by a company to an applicant in
contravention of sections 107 and 108, shall be voidable at the instance of the applicant within one month after the holding of the statutory meeting of the company and not later, notwithstanding that the company is in the course of being wound up. (2) If any director of a company knowingly contravenes or permits or authorises the contravention of any of the provisions of sections 107 and 108 with respect to allotment, he shall be liable to compensate the company and the allottee respectively for any loss, damages or costs which the company or the allottee may have sustained or incurred thereby. (3) Proceedings to recover any loss, damages or costs shall not be commenced after the expiration of two years from the date of allotment.
110. (1) Whenever a company limited by shares makes any
allotment of its shares, the company shall, within one month thereafter deliver to the Commission for registration– (a) a return of the allotments stating the number of nominal amount of the shares comprised in the allotment, the names, addresses and description of the allottees, and the amount, if any, paid or due and payable on each share; and (b) in the case of shares allotted as fully or partly paid up otherwise than in cash– (i) a contract in writing consisting of the title of the allottee to the allotment together with any contract of sale, or for services or other consideration in respect of which that allotment was made, such contracts being duly stamped; (ii) a return stating the number and nominal amount of shares so allotted, the extent to which they are to be treated as paid up, and the consideration for which they have been allotted; and (iii) particulars of the valuation of the consideration in accordance with
section 114, if any.
(2) If default is made in complying with this section, every officer of the company who is in default shall be guilty of an offence and be liable to a fine of Le500,000 for each day during which the default continues; but in case of default in delivering to the Return as to allotments. Effect of irregular allotment. Prohibition of allotment in certain cases of prospectus delivered to Commission. 76 77

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 Commission within one month after the allotment any document required to be delivered by this section, the company or any officer liable for the default, may apply to the court for relief, and the court, if satisfied that the omission to deliver the document was accidental or due to inadvertence or that it is just and equitable to grant relief, may make any order extending the time for the delivery of the document for such period as the court may think proper.
111. (1) Subject to section 105, no company shall apply any
of its shares or capital money either directly or indirectly in payment of any person in consideration of his subscribing or agreeing to subscribe, whether absolutely or conditionally, for any shares in the company, or procuring or agreeing to procure subscriptions, whether absolutely or conditional, for any shares in the company,whether the shares or capital money of any property acquired by the company or to the contract price of any work to be executed for the company, or such money is paid out of the nominal purchase money or contract price, or otherwise. (2) Nothing in this section shall affect the payment of any brokerage as is usual for a company to pay. (3) A vendor to or promoter of a company or other person who receives payment in money or shares from a company, shall have and shall be deemed always to have had power to apply any
part of the money or shares so received in payment of any commission,
the payment of which, if made directly by the company, would have been legal under this section.
112. (1) It shall be lawful for a company to pay a commission
to any person in consideration of his subscribing or agreeing to subscribe, whether absolutely or conditionally, for any shares in the company or procuring or agreeing to procure subscription, whether absolutely or conditionally, for any shares in the company if– (a) the payment of the commission is authorised by the articles; (b) subject to any enactment to the contrary, the commission paid or agreed to be paid does not exceed 10 percent of the price at which the shares are issued or the amount or rate authorized by the articles, whichever is the lesser; (c) the amount or rate per cent of the commission paid or agreed to be paid is– (i) in the case of shares offered to the public for subscription, disclosed in the prospectus; or (ii) in the case of shares not offered to the public for subscription, disclosed in the statement in lieu of prospectus, or in a statement in the prescribed form signed in like manner as a statement in lieu of prospectus, and delivered before the payment of the commission to the Commission for registration, and where a circular or notice, not being a prospectus inviting subscription for the shares is issued, also disclosed in that circular or notice; and (d) the number of shares which persons have agreed for a commission to subscribe absolutely is disclosed in the manner specified in this section. (2) If default is made in delivering to the Commission any document required to be delivered to the Commission under this
section, the company and every officer in default shall be liable to a
fine not exceeding Le3,000,000.
Prohibition of payment of commissions, discounts out of shares and capital. Power to pay commission in certain cases. 78 79

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009
113. (1) Where a company has paid any sum by way of
commission in respect of any shares in the company, the amount so paid or so much of it as has not been written off, shall be stated in every balance sheet of the company until the whole amount has been written off. (2) If default is made in complying with this section, the company and every officer of the company in default commits an offence and be liable to a fine of Le500,000 for each day during which the default continues. Call on and payment for shares
114. Subject to sections 116 and 117, the shares of a company
and any premium on them shall be paid up in cash, or where the articles so permit, by a valuable consideration other than cash or partly in cash and partly by a valuable consideration other than cash.
115. Shares shall not be deemed to have been paid for in cash
except to the extent that the company shall actually have received cash for them at the time of, or subsequent to the agreement to issue the shares, and where shares are issued to a person who has agreed to sell property or rendered or agreed to render services to the company or to persons nominated by him, the amount of any payment made for the property or services shall be deducted from the amount of any cash payment made for the shares and only the balance (if any) shall be treated as having been paid in cash for such shares notwithstanding any exchange of cheques or other securities for money.
116. (1) Where a company agrees to accept for its shares
otherwise than wholly in cash, it shall appoint an independent valuer who shall determine the true value of the consideration other than cash and prepare and submit to the company a report on the value of the consideration. (2) The valuer shall be entitled to require from the officers of the company such information and explanation as he thinks necessary to enable him carry out the valuation or make the report under subsection (3). (3) The company shall, not more than three days after the receipt by it of the valuer’s report, send a copy of it to the proposed purchaser of shares, and indicate to the proposed purchaser whether or not it intends to accept the consideration as payment or part payment for its shares by the valuer as worth at least as much as may be credited as paid up in respect of the shares allowed to the proposed purchaser. (4) A company shall not accept as payment or partpayment for its shares consideration other than cash, unless the cash value of the consideration as determined by the valuer is worth at least as much as may be credited as paid-up in respect of the shares allowed to the proposed purchaser. (5) A valuer who, in his report or otherwise, knowingly or recklessly makes a statement which is misleading, false or deceptive in a material particular shall be guilty of an offence and be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to a fine not exceeding Le8,000,000 or both such imprisonment and fine. (6) A valuer shall be paid by the company and the buyer of the shares such amount as may be agreed upon. (7) For the purposes of this section “valuer” means an auditor, a valuer, a surveyor or an accountant not being a person in the employment of the company nor an agent or associate of the company or any of its directors or officers
117. To the extent to which it is so authorised by its articles, a
company may–
(a) make arrangements on the issue of shares for a difference between the shareholders in the amounts and times of payment of calls on their shares; (b) accept from any member the whole or a part of the amount remaining unpaid on any shares held by him, although no part of that amount has been called up; Statement in balance sheet as to commission. Payment for shares. Meaning of payment in cash. Payment other than in cash. Power to pay different amounts on shares. 80 81

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (c) pay dividend in proportion to the amount paid up on each share where a larger amount is paid up on some shares than on others.
118. A limited company may, by special resolution determine
that any of its share capital shall not be called up which has not already been called up, except in the event and for the purposes of the company being wound up and thereupon that portion of its share capital shall not be capable of being called up except for the winding up of the company. Class of shares
119. (1) Notwithstanding section 96, the articles may provide
that preference shares issued after the commencement of this Act shall carry the right to attend general meetings and on a poll at the meeting to more than one vote per share in the following circumstances, but not otherwise:– (a) upon any resolution during such period as the preferential dividend or any part of it remains in arrears and unpaid, such period starting from a date not more than 12 months or such less period as the articles may provide, after the due date of the dividend; (b) upon any resolution which varies the rights attached to such shares; (c) upon any resolution to remove an auditor of the company or to appoint another person in place of such auditor; and (d) upon any resolution for the winding up of the company or during the winding up of the company. (2) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 96, any special resolution of a company increasing the number of shares of any class may validly resolve that any existing class of preference shares shall carry the right to such votes additional to one vote per share as shall be necessary in order to preserve the existing ratio which the votes exercisable by the holders of such preference shares at a general meeting of the company bear to the total votes exercisable at the meeting. (3) For the purposes of subsection (2), a dividend shall be deemed to be due on the date appointed in the articles for the payment of the dividend for any year or other period, or if no such date is appointed, upon the day immediately following the expiration of the year or other period, and whether or not such dividend shall have been earned or declared.
120. In construing the provisions of a company’s articles in
respect of the rights attached to shares, the following rules of construction shall be observed– (a) unless the contrary intention appears, no dividend shall be payable on any shares unless the company resolves to declare such dividend; (b) unless the contrary intention appears, a fixed preferential dividend payable on any class of shares is cumulative, that is to say, no dividend shall be payable on any shares ranking subsequent to them until all the arrears of the fixed dividend have been paid; (c) unless the contrary intention appears, in a winding up arrears of any cumulative preferential dividend, whether earned or declared or not are payable up to the date of actual payment in the winding up; (d) if any class of shares is expressed to have a right to a preferential dividend, then, unless the contrary intention appears, such class has no further right to participate in dividends; Reserve liability of companies having share capital. Right of a preference shareholder to more than one vote. Construction of class rights. 82 83

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (e) if any class of shares is expressed to have preferential rights to payment out of the assets of the company in the event of winding up, then unless the contrary intention appears, such class has no further right to participate in the distribution of assets in the winding up; (f) in determining the rights of the various classes to share in the distribution of the company’s property on a winding up, no regard shall be had, unless the contrary intention appears, to whether or not such property represents accumulated profits or surplus which would have been available for dividend while the company remained a going concern; (g) subject to this section, all shares rank equally in all respects, unless the contrary intention appears in the company’s articles. Numbering of shares
121. Each share in a company having a share capital shall be
distinguished by its appropriate number; but if at any time all the issued shares in a company, or all of its issued shares of a particular class, are fully paid up and rank pari passu for all purposes, none of those shares need thereafter have a distinguishing number so long as it remains fully paid up and ranks pari passu for all purposes with all shares of the same class for the time being issued and fully paid up. Share certificates
122. (1) Every company shall, within 3 months after the
allotment of any of its shares and within 3 months after the date on which transfer of any shares is lodged with the company, complete and have ready for delivery the certificates of all shares allotted or transferred, unless the conditions of issue of the shares otherwise provide. (2) Every person whose name is entered as a member in the register of members shall be entitled without payment to receive, within 3 months of allotment or lodgement of transfer or within such other period as the conditions of issue shall provide one certificate for all his shares or several certificates each for one or more of his shares upon payment of a fee as the directors shall, from time to time, determine. (3) Every certificate issued by a company shall be under the company’s seal and shall specify the shares to which it relates and the amount paid up on them; but in respect of shares held jointly by several persons, the company shall not be bound to issue more than one certificate, and delivery of a certificate for shares to one of several joint holders shall be sufficient delivery to all such holders. (4) If a share certificate is defaced, lost or destroyed, it may be replaced on such terms (if any), as to evidence and indemnity and the payment of the expenses of the company of investigating evidence as the directors think fit. (5) If any company on which a notice has been served requiring it to make good any default in complying with the provisions of subsection (1) fails to make good the default within 10 days after the service of the notice, the court may, on the application of the person entitled to have the certificate delivered to him, make an order directing the company and any officer of the company to make good the default within such time as may be specified in the order; and such order may provide that all costs of and incidental to the application shall be borne by the company or by any officer of the company responsible for the default. (6) If default is made in complying with this section, the company and every officer of the company who is in default shall be guilty of an offence and be liable to a fine of Le500,000 for each day during which the default continues. Issue of share certificates. Shares to be numbered. 84 85

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (7) In this section, “transfer” means a transfer duly stamped and otherwise valid but, does not include a transfer which under this Act, a company is for any reason entitled to refuse to, and does not, register.
123. (1) A certificate, under the common seal of the company,
specifying any shares held by any member, shall be prima facie evidence of the title of the member to the shares. (2) If any person changes his position to his detriment in good faith on the continued accuracy of the statements made in a certificate, the company shall be estopped from denying the continued accuracy of such statements and shall compensate the person for any loss suffered by him in reliance on them and which he would not have suffered had the statement been or continued to be accurate. (3) Nothing in subsection (2) shall derogate from any right the company may have to be indemnified by any other person.
124. The production to a company of any document which is
by law sufficient evidence of probate of the will, or letters of administration of the estate, or confirmation as executor, of a deceased person having been granted to some person, shall be accepted by the company as sufficient evidence of the grant, notwithstanding anything in its articles to the contrary.
125. (1) A company limited by shares, if so authorised by its
articles may, with respect to any fully paid-up shares, issue under its common seal a warrant (in this Act called a “share warrant”) stating that the bearer of the warrant is entitled to the shares specified in it, and may provide, by coupons or otherwise, for the payment of the future dividends on the shares. (2) A share warrant shall entitle the bearer to the shares specified in it and the shares may be transferred by delivery of the warrant. Transfer and transmission of shares and debentures
126. (1) Notwithstanding anything in the articles of a
company, it shall not be lawful for the company to register a transfer of shares in or debentures of the company, unless a proper instrument of transfer has been delivered to the company; but nothing in this
section shall prejudice any power of the company to register as
shareholder, any person to whom the right to any shares in the company has been transmitted by operation of law. (2) In the case of the death of a shareholder or debenture holder, the survivor, where the deceased was a joint holder, and the legal representatives of the deceased, where he was a sole holder or last survivor of joint holders, shall be the only persons recognized by the company as shareholders or debenture holders. (3) A person upon whom the ownership of a share or debenture devolves by reason of his being the legal personal representative or trustee in bankruptcy of the holder or by operation of law, may upon such evidence being produced as the company may properly require, be registered himself as the holder of the share or debenture or transfer it to some other person; and such transfer shall be as valid as if he had been registered as a holder but shall have no right to refuse registration of the person himself. (4) A person upon whom the ownership of a share or debenture devolves by reason of his being the legal representative, receiver or trustee in bankruptcy of the holder or by operation of law shall, prior to registration of himself or a transferee be entitled to the same dividends, interest and other advantages as if he were the registered shareholder and, in the case of a share, to the same rights and remedies as if he were a member of the company, except that he shall not, before being registered as a member in respect of the share, be entitled to attend and vote at any meeting of the company; but the company may at any time give notice requiring such person to elect to be registered himself or to transfer the share or debenture; and if the notice is not complied with within 90 days, the company may Effect of share certificate. Probate, etc. as evidence of grant. Issue and effect of share warrants to bearer. Transfer of shares. 86 87

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 thereafter suspend payment of all dividends, interest or other moneys payable in respect of the share or debenture until the requirements of the notice have been complied with.
127. (1) On the application of the transferor of any share or
interest in a company, the company shall enter in its register of members, the name of the transferee in the same conditions as if the application for the entry were made by the transferee. (2) Until the name of the transferee is entered in the register of members in respect of the transferred shares, the transferor shall, so far as concerns the company, be deemed to remain the holder of the shares.
128. (1) If a company refuses to register a transfer of any share
it shall, within two months after the date on which the transfer was lodged with it, send notice of the refusal to the transferee. (2) If default is made in complying with this section, the company and every officer of the company who is in default shall be liable to a fine not exceeding Le3,000,000.
129. A transfer of the share or other interest of a deceased
member of a company made by his personal representative shall, although the personal representative is not himself a member of the company, be as valid as if he had been such a member at the time of the execution of the instrument of transfer.
130. (1) The executors or administrators of a deceased sole
holder of a share are the only persons recognised by the company as having any title to the share. (2) In the case of a share registered in the names of two or more holders, the survivor or survivors, or the legal representatives of the deceased survivor shall be the only persons recognised by the company as having title to the share. (3) Nothing in subsection (2) shall release the estate of a deceased joint holder from any liability in respect of any share which have been jointly held by him with other persons. (4) Any person becoming entitled to a share in consequence of the death or bankruptcy of a member shall, upon such evidence being produced as may from time to time be properly required by the directors, have the right, either to be registered as a member in respect of the share or, instead of being registered himself, to make such transfer of the share as the deceased or bankrupt person could have made but the directors shall, in either case have the same right to decline or suspend registration as they would have had in the case of a transfer of the share by the deceased or bankrupt person before the death or bankruptcy. (5) A person becoming entitled to a share by reason of the death or bankruptcy of the holder shall be entitled to the same dividends and other advantages to which he would be entitled if he were the registered holder of the share, except that he shall not, before being registered as a member in respect of the share, be entitled in respect of it to exercise any right conferred by membership in relation to meetings of the company.
131. (1) Any person claiming to be interested in any shares or
the dividends or interest on them may protect his interest by serving on the company concerned a notice and affidavit of interest. (2) Notwithstanding section 77, the company shall enter on the register of members, the fact that such notice has been served and shall not register any transfer or make any payment or return in respect of the shares contrary to the terms of the notice until the expiration of 21 days notice to the claimant of the proposed transfer or payment. (3) In the event of any default by the company in complying with this section, the company shall compensate any person, injured by the default. Entry in register of transfers. Notice of refusal to register. Transfer by personal representatives. Recognition of executors’ etc. title to shares. Protection of beneficiaries. 88 89

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009
132. (1) When the holder of any shares or debentures of a
company wishes to transfer to any person only a part of the shares represented by one or more certificates, the instrument of transfer together with the relevant certificates shall be delivered to the company with a request that the instrument of transfer be recognised and registered. (2) A company to which a request is made under subsection (1) may recognise the instrument of transfer by endorsing on it the words “certificate lodged” or words to the like effect. (3) The recognition by a company of any instrument of transfer of shares in or debentures of the company shall be taken as a representation by the company to any person acting on the faith of the recognition that there have been produced to the company such documents as on the face of them show a prima facie title to the shares or debentures in the transferor named in the instrument of transfer, but not as a representation that the transferor has any title to the shares. (4) Where any person acts on the faith of a false recognition by a company made negligently, the company shall be under the same liability to that person as if the recognition has been made fraudulently. (5) For the purposes of this section– (a) an instrument of transfer shall be deemed to be recognised if it bears the words “certificate lodged” or words to the like effect; (b) the recognition of an instrument of transfer shall be deemed to be made by a company if– (i) the person issuing the instrument is a person authorised to issue certificated instruments of transfer on the company’s behalf; and (ii) the recognition is signed by a person authorised to recognise transfers of shares debentures on the company’s behalf by any officer or servant either of the company or of a body corporate so authorised; (c) a recognition shall be deemed to be signed by any person if– (i) it purports to be authenticated by his signature or initials (whether handwritten or not); and (iv) it is not shown that the signature or initials was or were placed there by any person other than him or person authorised to use the signature or initials for the purpose of transfers on the company’s behalf. Transaction by company in respect of its own shares
133. (1) The provisions of this section shall apply in respect
of redemption by a company of any redeemable preference shares issued by it under section 101. (2) The shares shall not be redeemed unless they are fully paid, and redemption shall be made only out of – (a) profits of the company which would otherwise be available for dividends; or (b) the proceeds of a fresh issue of shares made for the purposes of the redemption. (3) Before the shares are redeemed, the premium, if any, payable on redemption, shall be provided for out of the profits of the company or out of the company’s share premium account. Certification of transfers. Redemption of redeemable preference of shares. 90 91

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (4) Where shares are redeemed otherwise than out of the proceeds of a fresh issue, there shall, out of profits which should otherwise have been available for dividend, be transferred to a reserve fund to be called “the capital redemption reserve fund”, a sum equal to the nominal amount of the shares redeemed, and the provisions of this Act relating to the reduction of the share capital of the company shall, except as provided in this section, apply as if the capital redemption reserve fund were paid-up share capital of the company. (5) Subject to the provisions of this section, the redemption of preference shares may be effected on such terms and in such manner as are provided by the articles of the company.
134. (1) Subject to this section–
(a) where a person is acquiring or is proposing to acquire shares in a company, it shall not be lawful for the company or any of its subsidiaries to give financial assistance directly or indirectly for the purpose of that acquisition before or at the same time as the acquisition takes place; and (b) where a person has acquired shares in a company and any liability has been incurred by that or any other person for the purpose of that acquisition, it shall not be lawful for the company or any of its subsidiaries to give financial assistance directly or indirectly for the purpose of reducing or discharging the liability so incurred. (2) Nothing in subsection (1) shall be taken to prohibit– (a) the lending of money by the company in the ordinary course of its business, where the lending of money is part of the ordinary business of a company; (b) the provision by a company, in accordance with any scheme for the time being in force, of money for the purchase of or subscription for, fully-paid shares in the company or its holding company, being a purchase of subscription by trustees of or for shares to be held by or for the benefit of employees of the company, including any director holding a salaried employment or office in the company; (c) the making by a company of loans to persons, other than directors, bona fide in the employment of the company with a view to enabling those persons to purchase or subscribe for fully-paid shares in the company or its holding company, to be held by themselves by way of beneficial ownership. (d) a company from giving financial assistance for the acquisition of shares in it or its holding company if– ( i) the company’s principal purpose in giving that assistance is not to give it for the purpose of the acquisition if giving of the assistance for that purpose is but an incidental part of some larger purpose of the company; and (ii) the assistance is given in good faith in the interest of the company; (e) a company from giving financial assistance if– Prohibition of financial assistance by company for acquisition of its shares. 92 93

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (i) the company’s principal purpose in giving the assistance is not to reduce or discharge any liability incurred by a person for the purpose of the acquisition of shares in the company or its holding company, or the reduction or discharge of such liability is but an incidental part of some larger purpose of the company; and (ii) the assistance is given in good faith; (f) a distribution of a company’s assets by way of dividend lawfully made or a distribution made in the course of the winding up of the company; (g) the allotment of bonus shares; (h) anything done in pursuance of an order of the court under section 478 in relation to the power of a company to compromise with its creditors and members; (i) the provision of financial assistance by a company or any of its subsidiaries for the purposes of or in connection with anything done by the company for the purpose of enabling or facilitating transactions in shares in the company between and involving the acquisition of beneficial ownership of those shares by any of the following persons:- (i) the bona fide employees or former employees of that company or of another company in the same group; or (ii) the wives, husbands, widows, widowers, children or step children under the age of 18 of such employees or former employees; (j) the making by a company of loans to persons other than directors, employed in good faith, by the company with a view to those persons to acquire fully paid shares in the company or its holding company to be held by them by way of beneficial ownership. (3) The aggregate amount of any outstanding loans made under paragraph (c) of subsection (2) shall be shown as a separate item in every balance sheet of the company. (4) If a company acts in contravention of this section, the company and every officer of the company who is in default shall be guilty of an offence and be liable to a fine not exceeding Le5,000,000. (5) In this section “financial assistance” means– (a) financial assistance given by way of– (i) a gift, guarantee, security or indemnity other than an indemnity in respect of the indemnifier’s own neglect or default or by way of release or waiver; (ii) a loan or any other agreement under which any of the obligations of the person giving the assistance are to be fulfilled at a time when, in accordance with the agreement, remains unfulfilled, or by way of the novation of or assignment of rights arising under, a loan or such other agreement; or (b) any other financial assistance given by a company the net assets of which are thereby reduced to a material extent or which has no net assets. 94 95

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009
135. (1) Subject to subsection (2) and its articles, a company
may not purchase or otherwise acquire shares issued by it. (2) A company may acquire its own shares for the purpose of– (a) settling or compromising a debt or claim asserted by or against the company; (b) eliminating fractional shares; (c) fulfilling the terms of a non-assignable agreement under which the company has an option or is obliged to purchase shares owned by an officer or an employee of the company; (d) satisfying the claim of a dissenting shareholder; or (e) complying with a court order. (3) A company may accept from any shareholder, a share in the company surrendered to it as a gift, but may not extinguish or reduce a liability in respect of an amount unpaid on such share, except in accordance with section 89.
136. Notwithstanding any provision in the articles, a company
shall not purchase any of its own shares except on compliance with the following conditions:– (a) shares shall only be purchased out of profits of the company which would otherwise be available for dividend or the proceeds of a fresh issue of shares made for the purpose of the purchase; (b) redeemable shares shall not be purchased at a price greater than the lowest price at which they are redeemable or shall be redeemable at the next date thereafter at which they are due or liable to be redeemed; (c) no purchase shall be made in breach of
section 135.
137. No transaction shall be entered into by or on behalf of a
company whereby the total number of its shares, or of its shares of any one class, held by persons other than the company or its nominees becomes less than 70 per cent of the total number of shares of that class, which have been issued but– (a) redeemable shares shall be disregarded for the purposes of this section; and (b) where, after shares of any class have been issued or, the number of such shares has been reduced, this section shall apply as if the number originally issued (including shares of that class cancelled before the reduction took effect) had been the number as so reduced.
138. (1) Within the period of 28 days beginning with the date
on which any shares purchased by a company under this Part are delivered to it, the company shall deliver to the Commission for registration a return in the prescribed form stating with respect to shares of each class purchased, the number and nominal value of those shares and the date on which they are delivered to the company. (2) In the case of a public company, the return shall also state– (a) the aggregate amount paid by the company for the shares; and Acquisition by company of its own shares. Conditions for purchase by a company of its own shares. Limit on number of shares acquired. Disclosure by company of purchase of its own shares. 96 97

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (b) the maximum and minimum prices paid in respect of shares of each class purchased. (3) Particulars of shares delivered to the company on different dates and under different contracts may be included in a single return to the Commission and in such a case the amount required to be stated under paragraph (a) of subsection (2) is the aggregate amount paid by the company for all the shares to which the return relates.
139. (1) A contract with a company providing for the
acquisition by the company of shares in the company is specifically enforceable against the company, except to the extent that the company cannot perform the contract without there being a breach of section 134. (2) In any action brought on a contract referred to in subsection (1), the company shall have the burden of proving that the performance of the contract is prevented by section 134.
140. Where shares in a company are redeemed, purchased,
acquired or forfeited, such shares shall, unless the company by alteration of its articles of association cancels the shares, be available for re-issue by the company.
141. (1) Subject to this section, a corporation or its nominees
shall not become a member of a company which is its holding company, and any allotment or transfer of shares in a company to its subsidiary or to a nominee for the subsidiary shall be void. (2) A company which is a subsidiary may acquire shares in its holding company where the subsidiary company is interested as a personal representative or trustee unless the holding company or any of its subsidiaries is beneficially interested otherwise than by way of security for the purpose of a transaction entered into by it in the ordinary course of a business, which includes the lending of money. (3) A subsidiary which is, at the commencement of this Act, a holder of shares of its holding company or a subsidiary which acquired shares in its holding company may continue to hold such shares, but subject to subsection (1), shall have no right to vote at meetings of the holding company or any class of shareholders of the holding company and shall not acquire any future shares in it except on a capitalisation issue.
PART VIII –DEBENTURES
Creation of debentures and debenture stock
142. A company may borrow money for the purpose of its
business or objects and may mortgage or charge its undertaking, property and uncalled capital, or any part thereof, and issue debentures, debenture stock and other securities whether outright or as security for any debt, liability or obligation of the company or of any third party. Types of debentures
143. A company may issue perpetual debentures, and a
condition contained in any debentures, or in any deed for securing any debentures, shall not be invalid by reason only that the debentures are made irredeemable or redeemable only on the happening of a contingency, however remote, or on the expiration of a period, however long, any rule of equity to the contrary notwithstanding.
144. Debentures may be issued upon the terms that in lieu of
redemption or repayment, they may, at the option of the holder or the company, be converted into shares in the company on such terms as may be stated in the debentures.
145. (1) Debentures may either be secured by charge over the
company’s property or may be unsecured by any charge. Enforceability of contract to acquire shares. Re-issue of shares acquired. Acquisition of shares of holding company. Power to borrow money, to charge property and to issue debentures. Perpetual debentures. Convertible debentures. Secured and unsecured debentures. 98 99

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (2) Debentures may be secured by a fixed charge on certain of the company’s property or a floating charge over the whole or a specified part of the company’s undertaking and assets, or by both a fixed charge on certain property and floating charge. (3) A charge securing debentures shall become enforceable on the occurrence of the events as specified in the debentures or the deeds securing the debenture. (4) Where any legal proceedings are brought by a debenture holder to enforce the security of a series of debentures of which he holds part, the debenture holder shall sue in a representative capacity on behalf of himself and all other debenture holders of that series. (5) Where the debentures are secured by charge the provisions of section 170 relating to the registration of particulars of charges shall apply.
146. A company limited by shares may issue debentures which
are, or at the option of the company liable to be redeemed.
147. (1) Where either before or after the commencement of
this Act, a company has redeemed any debentures previously issued, then unless– (a) any provision, express or implied, to the contrary is contained in the articles or in any contract entered into by the company; or (b) the company has, by passing a resolution to that effect or by some other act, manifested its intention that the debentures shall be cancelled, the company shall have, and shall be deemed always to have had, power to re-issue the debentures, either by re-issuing the same debentures or by issuing other debentures in their place. (2) On a re-issue of redeemed debentures, the person entitled to the debentures shall have, and shall be deemed always to have had, the same priorities as if the debentures had never been redeemed. (3) Where a company has either before or after the commencement of this Act, deposited any of its debentures to secure advances, from time to time, on current account or otherwise, the debentures shall not be deemed to have been redeemed by reason only of the account of the company having ceased to be in debit, whilst the debentures remained so deposited. (4) The re-issue of a debenture or the issue of another debenture in its place under the power given by this section to or deemed to have been possessed by a company, whether the re-issue or issue was made before or after the commencement of this Act, shall be treated as issue of a new debenture for the purposes of a stamp duty, but it shall not be so treated for the purposes of any provision limiting the amount or number of debentures to be issued. (5) Any person lending money on the security of a debenture re-issued under this section which appears to be duly stamped, may give the debenture in evidence in any proceedings for enforcing his security without payment of the stamp duty or any penalty in respect thereof, unless he had notice or, but for his negligence, might have discovered, that the debenture was not duly stamped, but in such case the company shall be liable to pay the proper stamp duty and penalty. (6) Nothing in this section shall prejudice any power to issue debentures in place of any debentures paid off or otherwise satisfied or extinguished which, by its debentures or the securities for the debentures, is reserved to a company.
148. (1) Every register of holders of debentures of a company
shall, except when duly closed, be open to the inspection of the registered holders of such debentures and of any holder of shares in the company, but subject to such reasonable restrictions as the company may in general meeting impose, so that not less than two hours in each day shall be allowed. Redeemable debentures Power to reissue redeemed debentures in certain cases. Right of debenture holders and shareholders as to register of holders. 100 101

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (2) For the purposes of subsection (1), a register shall be deemed to be duly closed if closed in accordance with provisions contained in the articles or in the debentures or, in the case of debenture stock, in the stock certificates, or in the trust deed or other documents securing the debentures or debenture stock, during such period or periods, not exceeding in the whole thirty days in any year, as may be therein specified. (3) Every registered holder of debentures and every holder of shares in a company may require a copy of the register of the holders of debentures of the company or any part thereof on payment of such fees as the Commission may prescribe. (4) A copy of any trust deed for securing any issue of debentures shall be forwarded to every holder of such debentures at his request on payment of such fees as may be prescribed by the Commission or, where the trust deed has not been printed, on payment of such fees as the Commission may prescribe. (5) If inspection is refused, or a copy is refused or not forwarded, the company and every officer of the company who is in default shall be guilty of an offence and be liable to a fine not exceeding Le3,000,000. (6) Where a company is in default, the court may by order compel an immediate inspection of the register or direct that the copies required shall be sent to the person requiring them.
149. (1) The terms of any debenture or trust deed may provide
for the convening of general meetings of the debenture holders and for the passing, at such meetings, of a resolution binding on all the holders of the debentures of the same class. (2) Whether or not the debentures or trust deed contain such provisions as are referred to in subsection (1), the Commission may at any time direct a meeting of the debentures holders of any class to be held and conducted in such manner as the Commission thinks fit, to consider ancillary or consequential directions as it shall think fit. (3) Notwithstanding anything contained in a debenture trust deed, or in any debenture or contract or instruments, the trustee of a debenture deed shall, on the requisition of persons holding, at the date of the deposit of the requisition, debentures covered by the trust deed which carry not less than one-tenth of the total voting rights attached to all the issued and outstanding debentures of that class, forthwith, proceed duly to convene a meeting of that class of debenture holders. Fixed and floating charges
150. (1) “A floating charge” means an equitable charge over
the whole or a specified part of the company’s undertakings and “assets”, including cash and uncalled capital of the company both present and future, but the charge shall not preclude the company from dealing with such assets until– (a) the security becomes enforceable and the holder thereof, pursuant to a power in that behalf in the debenture or the deed securing the debenture appoints a receiver or manager or enters into possession of the assets; (b) the court appoints a receiver or manager of the assets on the application of the holder; or (c) the company goes into liquidation. (2) On the happening of any of the events mentioned in subsection (1), the charge shall be deemed to crystallise and to become a fixed equitable charge on such of the company’s assets as are subject to the charge. (3) If a receiver or manager is withdrawn with the consent of the chargee, or the chargee withdraws from possession before the charge has been fully discharged, the charge shall then be deemed to cease to be a fixed charge and again to become a floating charge. Meaning of “floating” and “fixed” charges. Meetings of debenture holders. 102 103

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009
151. A fixed charge on any property shall have priority over
floating charge affecting that property, unless the terms on which the floating charge was granted prohibited the company from granting any later charge having priority over the floating charge and the person in whose favour the later charge was granted had actual notice of that prohibition at the time when the charge was granted to him.
152. (1) Whenever a fixed or floating charge has become
enforceable, the court shall have power to appoint a receiver and in the case of a floating charge, a receiver and manager of the assets subject to the charge. (2) In the case of a floating charge, the court may, notwithstanding that the charge has not become enforceable, appoint a receiver or manager if satisfied that the security of the debenture holder is in jeopardy; and the security of the debenture holder shall be deemed to be in jeopardy if the court is satisfied that events have occurred or are about to occur which renders it unreasonable in the interest of the debenture holder that the company should retain power to dispose of its assets. (3) A receiver or manager shall not be appointed as a means of enforcing debentures not secured by any charge. (4) Where an application is made to the court to appoint a receiver on behalf of debenture holders or other creditors of a company which is being wound up by the court, the official receiver may be so appointed.
153. Where a receiver or a receiver and manager is appointed
by the court, advertisement to this effect shall be made by the receiver or the receiver and manager in the Gazette and in two local newspapers.
154. (1) Where a receiver is appointed on behalf of the holders
of any debentures of a registered company secured by a floating charge, or possession is taken by, or on behalf of those debenture holders of any property comprising or subject to the charge, then if the company is not, at the time being wound up, the debts which in every winding up are under the provisions relating to preferential payments in Part XVI to be paid in priority to all other debts, shall be paid out of any assets coming into the hands of the receiver or other person taking possession in priority to any claim for principal or interest in respect of the debentures. (2) In the application of the provisions relating to preferential payments– (a) section 438 shall be construed as if provision for payment of accrued holiday remuneration becoming payable on the termination of employment before or by the effect of the winding-up order or resolution, were a provision for payment of such remuneration becoming payable on the termination of employment before or by the effect of appointment of the receiver or possession being taken ; and (b) the periods of time mentioned therein shall be reckoned from the date of the appointment of the receiver or possession being taken as the case may be, and if such date occurred before the commencement of this Act, the provisions relating to preferential payments which would have applied but for this Act, shall be deemed to remain in force. (3) Any payments made under this section shall be recouped as far as may be out of the assets of the company available for payment of general creditors. Priority of fixed over floating charge. Powers of court to appoint receiver or manager. Advertisement of appointment of receiver and manager. Preferential payment to debenture holders in certain cases. 104 105

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 Debenture trust deeds
155. (1) Every company which offers debentures to the Public
for subscription or purchase shall, before issuing any of the debentures, execute a debenture trust deed in respect of them and procure the execution of the deed by the trustee for the debenture holders appointed by the deed. (2) No debenture trust deed shall cover more than one class of debentures, whether or not the trust deed is required by this
section to be executed.
(3) Where a trust deed is required to be executed by this
section but has not been executed, the court, on the application of a
debenture holder concerned, may–
(a) order the company to execute a trust deed; (b) direct that a person nominated by the court shall be appointed to be trustee; and (c) give such consequential directions as it thinks fit, as to the contents of the trust deed and its execution by the trustee. (4) For the purposes of this Act, debentures shall belong to different classes if different rights attach to them in respect of– (a) the rate of, or dates for payment of interest; (b) the dates when, or the instalments by which, the principal of the debenture shall be repaid, unless the difference is solely that the class of debentures shall be repaid during a stated period of time and particular debentures may be repaid at different dates during that period according to selections made by the company or by drawings, ballot or otherwise; (c) any right to subscribe for or convert the debentures into shares in, or other debentures of, the company or any other company; or (d) the powers of the debenture holders to realise any security. (5) Debentures further belong to different classes– (a) if they do not rank equally for payment when any security invested in the debenture by holders under any trust deed is realised; or (b) when the company is wound up, or in circumstances where the security may be realised, pursuant to paragraph (d) of subsection (4) the subject matter of such security or the proceeds thereof, or any assets available to satisfy the debentures, is or are not to be applied in satisfying the debentures strictly in proportion to the amount of principal, premiums and arrears of interest to which the holders are respectively entitled. (6) A debenture is covered by a trust deed if the holder of the debenture– (a) is entitled to participate in any money payable by the company under the deed; or (b) is entitled to the benefit of any mortgage, charge or security created by the deed, whether alone or together with other persons. (7) If a company issues debentures in circumstances in which this section requires a debenture trust deed to be executed without such a deed having been executed in compliance with this Execution of debenture trust deed. 106 107

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009
section, or if the company issues debentures under a trust deed
which covers two or more classes of debentures, each director of the company who is in default commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding Le5,000,000
156. (1) Every debenture trust deed, whether required by
section 154 or not, shall state–
(a) the maximum sum which the company may raise by issuing debentures of the same class; (b) the maximum discount which may be allowed on the issue or re-issue of the debentures, and the maximum premium at which the debentures may be made redeemable; (c) the nature of any assets over which a mortgage, charge or security is created by the trust deed in favour of any person other than of the trustee for the benefit of the debenture holders equally, except where such a charge is a floating charge or a general floating charge, the identity of the assets subject to it; (d) the nature of any assets over which a mortgage, charge or security has been or will be created in favour of any person other than the trustee for the benefit of the debenture holders equally, and except where such a charge is a floating charge or a general floating charge, the identity of the assets subject to it; (e) whether the company has created or will create any mortgage, charge or security for the benefit of some, but not all of the holders of debentures issued under the trust deed; (f) any prohibition or restriction on the power of the company to issue debentures or to create mortgages, charges or any security on any of its assets ranking in priority to, or equally with the debentures issued under the trust deed; (g) whether the company shall have power to acquire debentures issued under the trust deed before the date of their redemption and to re-issue the debentures; (h) the rate of and the dates on which interest on the debentures issued under the trust deed shall be paid and the manner in which payment may be made; (i) the date or dates on which the principal of the debentures issued under the trust deed shall be repaid, and unless the whole principal is to be repaid to all the debenture holders at the same time, the manner in which redemption shall be effected, whether by the payment of equal instalments of principal in respect of each debenture, or by the selection of debentures for redemption by the company or by drawing, ballot, or otherwise; (j) in the case of convertible debentures, the dates and terms on which the debentures may be converted into shares and the amounts which may be credited or paid up on those shares by virtue of the debentures held by them; (k) the circumstances in which the debenture holders shall be entitled to realise any mortgage, charge or security invested in the Contents of debenture trust deed. 108 109

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 trustee or any other person for their benefit (other than the circumstances in which they are entitled to do so by this Act); (l) the powers of the company and trustee to call meetings of the debenture holders and the rights of debenture holders to require the company or the trustee to call such meetings; (m) whether the rights of debenture holders may be altered or abrogated and if so, the conditions which must be fulfilled, and the procedure which must be followed, to effect such an alteration or abrogation; and (n) the amount or rate of remuneration to be paid to the trustee and the period for which it shall be paid, and whether it shall be paid in priority to the principal, interest and costs in respect of debentures issued under the trust deed. (2) If debentures are issued without a covering debenture trust deed being executed, the statements required by subsection (1) shall be included in each debenture or in a note forming part of the same document or endorsed on it, and in applying that subsection references to “the debenture trust deed” shall be construed as references to all or any of the debentures of the same class. (3) Subsection (2) shall not apply if the debenture is the only debenture of the class to which it belongs which has been or may be issued, and the rights of the debenture holder may not be altered or abrogated without his consent. (4) Any director involved in the issue of a debenture in violation of this section shall be guilty of an offence.
157. (1) Every debenture covered by a debenture trust deed
shall state, either in the body or in a note forming part of the same document or endorsed on it– (a) the matters required to be stated in a debenture trust deed by paragraphs (a), (b), (f), (h), (i), (j), (l) and (m) of subsection (1) of
section 156;
(b) whether the trustee of the covering debenture trust deed holds the mortgages, charges and securities vested in him by the trust deed in trust for the debenture holders equally, or in trust for some only of the debenture holders, and if so, which debenture holders; and (c) whether the debenture is secured by a general floating charge vested in the trustee of the covering debenture trust deed or in the debenture holders. (2) A debenture issued by a company shall state on its face in clearly legible print, that it is unsecured if no mortgage, charge or security is vested in the holder of the debenture or in any other person for his benefit as security for payment of principal or interest. (3) Any director of a company who is involved in the issue of a debenture in violation of subsections(1) and (2) shall be guilty of an offence and be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding Le3,000,000.00.
158. (1) Whether or not a debenture is secured by a charge
over the company’s property it may be secured by a trust deed appointing trustees for the debenture holders. (2) It shall be the duty of such trustees to safeguard the rights of the debenture holders and, on behalf of and for the benefit of the debenture holders, to exercise the rights, powers and discretions conferred upon them by the trust deed. Contents of debentures covered by trust deed. Trustees for debenture holders. 110 111

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (3) Charges securing the debentures may be created in favour of the debenture holders by vesting them in the trustees. (4) Notwithstanding anything contained in the debentures or trust deed, the court may, on the application of any debenture holder or of the Commission remove any trustee and appoint another in his place if satisfied that such trustee has interests which conflict or may conflict with those of the debenture holders or that for any reason it is undesirable that such trustee should continue to act; but that where the application is made by a debenture holder, the court if it thinks fit, may order the applicant to give security for the payment of the costs of the trustee and may direct that the application shall be heard in chambers.
159. (1) A person is not qualified for appointment as a trustee
of a debenture trust deed if he is–
(a) an officer or an employee of the company which issues debentures covered by the trust deed or of a company in the same group of companies as the company so issuing debentures; (b) less than 18 years of age; (c) of unsound mind and has been so found by a court; (d) an undischarged bankrupt; (e) disqualified under section 218 from being appointed as a director of a company; (f) a substantial shareholder (as defined in
section 81) of the company.
(2) If a trustee becomes subject to any of the disqualifications mentioned in subsection (1) after he has been appointed, he shall immediately cease to be qualified to act as a trustee of the debenture trust deed. (3) Any person who acts as a trustee of a debenture trust deed shall be guilty of an offence, if his appointment is invalid under subsection (1) or if he is disqualified from acting under subsection (2).
160. (1) The trustee of a debenture trust deed shall hold all
contracts, stipulations and undertakings given to him and all mortgages, charges and securities vested in him in connection with the debentures covered by the deed, or some of those debentures, exclusively for the benefit of the debenture holders concerned (except in so far as the deed otherwise provides); and the trustee shall exercise due diligence in respect of the enforcement of those contracts, stipulations, undertakings, mortgages, charges and securities and the fulfilment of his functions generally. (2) A debenture holder may sue– (a) the company which issued the debentures he holds for payment of any amount payable to him in respect of the debentures; or (b) the trustee of the debenture trust deed covering the debentures he holds or compensation for any breach of the duties which the trustee owes him, and in such action, it shall not be necessary for any other debenture holders of the same class, or if the action is brought against the company, the trustee of the covering trust deed, to be joined as a party. Disqualification for appointment as trustee of debenture trust deed. Rights of debenture holders. 112 113

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009
161. (1) Subject to this section, anything contained in a trust
deed for securing an issue of debentures, or in any contract with the holders of debentures secured by a trust deed, shall be void in so far as it would have the effect of exempting a trustee from or indemnifying him against liability for breach of trust, where he fails to show the degree of care and diligence required of him as trustee, having regard to the provisions of the trust deed conferring on him any powers, authority or discretion. (2) Subsection (1) shall not invalidate– (a) any release otherwise validly given in respect of anything done or omitted to be done by a trustee before the giving of the release; or (b) any provision enabling such a release to be given– (i) on the agreement thereto of a majority of not less than three quarters in value of the debenture holders present and voting in person or, where proxies are permitted, by proxy at a meeting summoned for the purpose; and (ii) either with respect to specific acts or omissions or on the trustee dying or ceasing to act. (3) Subsection (1) shall not operate to– (a) invalidate any provision in force at the commencement of this Act in such trust deed or contract, so long as any person entitled to the benefit of that provision, or afterwards given the benefit under subsection (4) remains a trustee of the trust deed in question; or (b) deprive any person of any exemption or right to be indemnified in respect of anything done or omitted to be done by him, while such provision was in force. (4) While any trustee of a trust deed remains entitled to the benefit of a provision saved by subsection (3), the benefit of that provision may be given– (a) to all trustees of the deed, present and future; or (b) to any named trustees or proposed trustees thereof, by a resolution, passed by a majority of not less than three-quarters in value of the debenture holders present in person or, where proxies are permitted by proxy at a meeting summoned for the purpose in accordance with the provisions of the trust deed or, if the trust deed makes no provision for summoning meetings, a meeting summoned for the purpose in any manner approved by the court.
162. (1) Except as expressly provided in the terms of any
debenture, debentures shall be transferable without restriction by a written transfer in common form so that the transferee shall be entitled to the debenture, and to the moneys secured thereby without regard to any equities, set-off, or cross-claim between the company and the original or any intermediate holder. (2) The terms of any debenture may impose restrictions of any nature whatsoever on the transferability of debentures, including power for the company to refuse to register any transfer and provisions for compulsory acquisition or rights of first refusal in favour of other debenture holders, or members or officers of the company; but if any restriction is imposed on the right to transfer Liability of trustees for debenture holders. Restrictions on transferability of debentures. 114 115

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 any debenture, notice of the restriction shall be endorsed on the face of the debenture or debenture stock certificate and in the absence of such endorsement, the restriction shall be ineffective as regards any transferee for value, whether or not he has notice of the restriction. Provisions as to company’s register of charges, debenture holders and as to copies of instruments creating charges
163. Every company shall cause a copy of every instrument
creating any charge requiring registration under this Part to be kept at the registered office of the company; but, in the case of a series of uniform debentures, a copy of one debenture of the series shall be sufficient.
164. (1) Every limited company shall keep at the registered
office of the company, a register of charges and enter in it all charges specifically affecting property of the company and floating charges on the undertaking or any property of the company, giving in each case a short description of the property charged, the amount of the charge, and, except in the case of securities to bearer, the names of the persons entitled thereto. (2) If any officer of the company knowingly and wilfully authorises or permits the omission of any entry required to be made in pursuance of this section, he shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding Le3,000,000.
165. (1) The copies of instruments creating any charge
requiring registration with the Commission under this Part and the register of charges kept in pursuance of section 164, shall be open during business hours (but subject to such reasonable restrictions as the company in general meeting may impose, so that not less than 2 hours each day shall be allowed for inspection) to inspection by any creditor or member of the company without fee and the register of charges shall also be open to inspection by any other person on payment of such fee as the Commission may prescribe for each inspection. (2) If inspection of copies of instruments creating charges or of the register is refused, every officer of the company who is in default shall be guilty of an offence and be liable to a fine of Le500,000 for each day during which the refusal continues.
166. (1) A company which issues or has issued debentures
shall maintain a register of the holders of the debentures. (2) The register shall contain the following information:– (a) the names and addresses of the debenture holders; (b) the principal of the debentures held by each of them; (c) the amount or the highest amount of any premium payable on redemption of the debentures; (d) the issue price of the debentures and the amount paid up on the issue price; (e) the date on which the name of each person was entered on the register as a debenture holder; and (f) the date on which each person ceased to be a debenture holder. (3) The entry required under this section shall be made within 30 days of the conclusion of the agreement with the company to become a debenture holder or within 30 days of the date at which he ceases to be one.
167. (1) Every register of holders of debentures of a company
shall,except when duly closed (but subject to such reasonable restrictions as the company may in general meeting impose, so that not less than two hours each day shall be allowed for inspection), be open to the inspection of the registered holders of such debentures or any holder of shares in the company without fee, and of any other person on payment of such fee not exceeding Le5,000 as may be determined by the company. Company to keep copies of instruments creating charges. Company’s register of charges. Inspection of register and copies of instruments. Register of debenture. holders. Inspection of register of debentures etc. 116 117

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (2) Any registered holder of debentures or any other person may require a copy of the register of the holders of debentures of the company or any part thereof on payment of such fees not exceeding Le.10,000 as may be determined by the company. (3) A copy of any trust deed for securing any issue of debentures shall be forwarded to every holder of such debentures at his request on payment– (a) in the case of a printed trust deed, of such fee not exceeding Le10,000 as may be determined by the company; or (b) where the trust deed has not been printed, on payment of such fee not exceeding Le10,000 as may be determined by the company. (4) If inspection is refused, or a copy is refused or not forwarded, the company and every officer of the company who is in default shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding Le3,000,000 and in case of a continuing default, to a further fine of Le500,000. for each day during which the default continues. (5) Where a company is in default, the court convicting may by order compel an immediate inspection of the register or direct that the copies required shall be sent to the person requiring them. (6) For the purposes of this section, a register shall be deemed to be duly closed in accordance with provisions contained in the articles or in the debentures or, in the case of debenture stock, in the stock certificates, or in the trust deed or other document securing the debentures or debenture stock, during such periods, not exceeding in the whole 30 days in any year as may be therein specified.
168. On the application of the transferor of any debenture
in a company, the company shall enter in its register of debenture holders, the name of the transferee in the same manner and subject to the same condition as if the application for the entry were made by the transferee.
169. (1) If a company refuses to register a transfer of any
debentures, the company shall, within two months after the date on which the transfer was lodged with the company, send to the transferee notice of the refusal. (2) If any default is made in complying with subsection (1) the company and every officer of the company who is in default shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding Le3,000,000. Registration of charges with Commission
170. (1) Subject to this Part, every charge created by a
company being a charge to which this section applies shall, so far as any security on the company’s property or undertaking is conferred, be void against the liquidator and any creditor of the company, unless the prescribed particulars of the charge together with the instrument, if any, by which the charge is created or evidenced or by a copy verified in the prescribed manner have been or are delivered to or received by the Commission for registration in the manner required by this Act within 21 days after the date of its creation but without prejudice to any contract or obligation for repayment of the money thereby secured and when a charge becomes void under this section, the money thereby secured shall immediately become payable. (2) This section applies to the following charges:– (a) a charge for the purpose of securing any issue of debentures; (b) a charge on uncalled share capital of the company; Entry in register of transferees. Notice of refusal to register. Registration of charges created by companies. 118 119

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (c) a charge created or evidenced by an instrument which if executed by an individual would require registration as a bill of sale; (d) a charge on land, where situate, or any interest in it, but not including a charge for rent or other periodical sum issuing out of land; (e) a charge on book debts of the company; (f) a floating charge on the undertaking or property of the company; (g) a charge on calls made but not paid; (h) a charge on a ship or aircraft or any share in a ship; (i) a charge on goodwill, on a patent or a licence under a copyright. (3) In the case of a charge created out of Sierra Leone comprising solely property situated outside Sierra Leone, the delivery to and the receipt by the Commission of a copy verified in the prescribed manner of the instrument by which the charge is created or evidenced, shall have the same effect for the purpose of this section as the delivery and receipt of the instrument itself, and 90 days after the date on which the instrument or copy could, in due course of post, and if despatched with due diligence, have been received in Sierra Leone shall be substituted for twenty-one days after the date of the creation of the charge, as the time within which the particulars and instrument or copy are to be delivered to the Commission. (4) Where a charge comprises property situated outside Sierra Leone and registered in the country where the property is situated is necessary to make the charge valid or effectual according to the law of that country, the delivery to and the receipt by the Commission of a copy verified in the prescribed manner of the instrument by which the charge is created or evidenced, together with a certificate in the prescribed form stating that the charge was presented for registration in the country where the property is situated on the date on which it was so presented shall, for the purposes of this section, have the same effect as the delivery and receipt of the instrument itself. (5) Where a charge is created in Sierra Leone but affects or relates to property outside Sierra Leone, the instrument creating or purporting to create the charge may be sent for registration under this section notwithstanding that further proceedings may be necessary to make the charge valid or effectual according to the law of the country in which the property is situated. (6) Where a negotiable instrument has been given to ensure the payment of any book debts of a company, the deposit of the instrument for the purpose of securing an advance to the company shall not, for the purpose of this section, be treated as a charge on those book debts. (7) The holding of debentures entitling the holder to a charge on land shall not, for the purposes for this section, be deemed to be an interest in land. (8) Where a series of debentures containing or giving reference to any other instrument, any charge to the benefit of which the debenture holders of that series are
entitled pari passa is created by a company, it shall, for the purpose of this section, be sufficient if they are delivered to or received by the Commission within 90 days after the execution of the deed containing the charge or, if there is no such deed, after the execution of any debentures of the series, the following particulars:– (a) the total amount secured by the whole series; (b) the date of the resolutions authorising the issue of the series and the date of the covering deed, if any, by which the security is created or defined; 120 121

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (c) a general description of the property charged, and (d) the names of the trustees, if any, for the debenture holders, together with the deed containing the charge or copy thereof verified in the prescribed manner, or, if there is no such deed, one of the debentures of the series; and where more than one issue is made of debentures in the series, there shall be sent to the Commission for entry in the register particulars of the date and amount of each issue, but an omission to do this shall not affect the validity of the debentures issued. (9) Where a commission, allowance or discount has been paid or made either directly or indirectly by a company to any person in consideration of his subscribing or agreeing to subscribe, whether absolutely or conditionally, for any debentures of the company, or procuring or agreeing to procure subscriptions whether absolute or conditional, for such debentures, the particulars required to be sent for registration under this section shall include particulars as to the amount or rate per rent of commission, discount or allowance so paid or made, but an omission to do this shall not affect the validity of the debentures issued; but the deposit of any debentures as security for any debt of the company shall not, for the purpose of this subsection, be treated as the issue of the debentures at a discount. (10) In this Part , “charge” includes mortgage.
171. (1) The Commission shall keep with respect to each
company, a register in the prescribed form, of all the charges requiring registration under this Part and shall, on payment of such fee as may be prescribed by the Commission, enter in the register with respect to such charges the following particulars:– (a) in the case of a charge to the benefit of which the holders of a series of debentures are entitled, such particulars as are specified in subsection (8) of section 170; (b) in the case of any other charge– (i) if the charge was a charge created by the company, the date of its creation, and if the charge was a charge existing on property acquired by the company, the date of its creation, and the date of the acquisition of the property; (ii) the amount secured by the charge; (iii) brief particulars of the property; and (iv) the persons entitled to the charge. (2) Where a charge is registered under this Part the Commission shall issue a registration certificate setting out the parties to the charge, the amount thereby secured, with such other particulars as the Commission may consider necessary; and the certificate shall be conclusive evidence of due compliance with the requirements as to registration under this Part. (3) The register kept in pursuance of this section shall be open to inspection by any person on payment of such fee, for each inspection as may be prescribed by the Commission.
172. (1) It shall be the duty of a company to send to the
Commission for registration, the particulars of every charge created by the company and of the issues of debentures of a series requiring registration under section 170, but registration of such charge may be effected on the application of any person interested therein. Register of particulars of charges. Duty of company to register charges. 122 123

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (2) Where registration is effected on the application of some person other than the company, that person shall be entitled to recover from the company the amount of any fees properly paid by him to the Commission on the registration. (3) If any company defaults in sending to the Commission for registration, the particulars of any charge created by the company or of the issues of debentures of a series requiring registration, then, unless the registration has been effected on the application of some other person, the company and every officer of the company who is in default shall be guilty of an offence and be liable to a fine not exceeding Le3,000,000.
173. (1) Where a company acquires any property which is
subject to a charge of any kind as would, if it had been created by the company after the acquisition of the property, have been required to be registered under this Part, the company shall cause the prescribed particulars of the charge, together with a copy (certified in the prescribed manner to be a correct copy) of the instrument, if any, by which the charge was created or is evidenced, to be delivered, to the Commission for registration in the manner required by this Act within 90 days after the date on which the acquisition is completed; but, if the property is situated and the charge was created outside Sierra Leone, 90 days after the date on which the copy of the instrument could in due course of post, and if despatched with due diligence, have been received in Sierra Leone shall be substituted for 90 days after the completion of the acquisition, as the time within which the particulars and the copy of the instrument are to be delivered to the Commission. (2) If default is made in complying with this section, the company and every officer of the company who is in default shall be guilty of an offence and be liable to a fine not exceeding Le3,000,000.
174. (1) Where, at the date of commencement of this Act a
company has property on which there is a charge particulars of which would require registration if it had been created by the company after the date of the commencement then, unless the charge has been discharged or the property has ceased to be held by the company prior to the expiration of 6 months from the date of the commencement, the company shall, within that time, cause particulars of the charge to be delivered to the Commission for registration together with the document, if any, by which the charge was created or copy thereof, certified as required. (2) Every existing company shall, prior to the expiration of 6 months from the commencement of this Act, deliver to the Commission for registration a statutory declaration made by a director and the secretary of the company stating whether or not there are any charges on the company’s property of which particulars required to be registered under this section and confirming that particulars of any such charges have been duly delivered to the Commission for registration. (3) In the event of default in complying with subsection (2), the company and every officer of the company who is in default shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine of Le500,000 for each day during which the default continues. (4) Failure to comply with the provisions of this section shall not affect the validity of the charge.
175. Where a charge, particulars of which require registration
under section 170, is expressed to secure all sums due or to become due or some other uncertain or fluctuating amount the particulars required under paragraph (a) of subsection (8) of section 170 state the maximum sum deemed to be secured by such charge (being the maximum sum covered by the stamp duty paid on it) and such charge shall be void, so far as any security on the company’s property is thereby conferred, in respect of any excess over the stated maximum; but if– Duty of company acquiring property to register subsisting charge. Existing charges. Charges to secure fluctuating amounts. 124 125

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (a) additional stamp duty is subsequently paid on such charge; and (b) at any time thereafter prior to the commencement of the winding up of the company, amended particulars of the charge stating the increased maximum sum deemed to be secured thereby (together with the original instrument by which the charge was created or evidenced) are delivered to the Commission for registration, then, as from the date of such delivery the charge, if otherwise valid, shall be effective to the extent of such increased maximum sum except as regards any person who, prior to the date of such delivery, has acquired any proprietary rights in, or a fixed or floating charge on, the property subject to the charge.
176. (1) The company shall cause a copy of every certificate
of registration given under section 171 to be endorsed on every debenture or certificate of debenture stock which is issued by the company and the payment of which is secured by the charge so registered. (2) Nothing in subsection (1) shall be construed as requiring a company to cause a certificate of registration of any charge so given to be endorsed on any debenture or certificate of debenture stock issued by the company before the charge was created. (3) If any person knowingly and wilfully authorises or permits the delivery of any debenture or certificate of debenture stock which under this section is required to have endorsed on it a copy of a certificate without prejudice to any other liability he shall be guilty of an offence and be liable to a fine not exceeding Le5,000,000.
177. If the Commission is satisfied with respect to any registered
charge that–
(a) the debt for which the charge was given has been paid or satisfied in whole or in part; or (b) part of the property or undertaking charged has been released from the charge or has ceased to form part of the company’s property or undertaking, it may enter on the register a memorandum of satisfaction to the extent necessary to give effect thereto and, where it enters a memorandum of satisfaction it shall, if required, furnish the company with a copy of the entry, and such entry shall have effect, subject to the requirement of any other enactment as to registration.
178. The court may, on being satisfied that the omission–
(a) to register a charge within the time required by this Act; (b) or mis-statement of any particulars with respect to any such charge or in a memorandum of satisfaction was accidental, or due to inadvertence or to some other sufficient cause; (c) is not of a nature to prejudice the position of creditors or share holders of the company, or that on other grounds it is just and equitable to grant relief, on the application of the company or any person interested and on such terms and conditions as seems to the court just and expedient order, that the time for registration shall be extended or, as the case may be, that the omission or mis-statement shall be rectified and may make such order as to costs of the application as it thinks just. Endorsement of registration. Rectification of register. Entries of satisfaction of charges. 126 127

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009
179. (1) The copies of instruments creating any charge
requiring registration with the Commission and the register of charges kept in pursuance of section 171 shall be open during business hours (but subject to such reasonable restrictions as the company in general meeting may impose, so that not less than 2 hours in each day shall be allowed for inspection) to inspection by any creditor or member of the company without fee, and the register of charges shall also be open to inspection by any other person on payment of such fee, not exceeding Le5,000 for each inspection, as the company may determine. (2) If inspection of copies of instruments creating charges or of the register is refused, every officer of the company who is in default shall be guilty of an offence and be liable to a fine of Le500,000 for each day during which the refusal continues and the court may by order compel an immediate inspection of the copies of the register. (3) If any refusal occurs in relation to a company incorporated or registered in Sierra Leone and an instrument creates a charge over any of its property in Sierra Leone, and the refusal relates to that charge, the court may by order compel an immediate inspection of the copies or register. (4) The registration of any particulars of charges under this Part shall constitute actual notice of such particulars but not of the contents of any document referred to in the particulars or delivered with the registration, to all persons and for all purposes as from the date of registration.
180. (1) A debenture holder shall be entitled to realise any
security vested in him or in any other person for his benefit if– (a) the company fails to pay any instalment of interest, or the whole or part of the principal or any premium, owing under the debenture or the debenture trust deed covering the debenture within one month after it becomes due; (b) the company fails to fulfil any of the obligations imposed on it by the debentures or the debenture trust deed; (c) any circumstances occur which by the terms of the debentures or debenture trust deed entitled the holder of the debenture to realise his security; or (d) the company is wound up. (2) A debenture holder whose debenture is secured by a general floating charge vested in him or the trustee of the covering debenture trust deed or any other person shall additionally be entitled to realise his security if– (a) any creditor of the company issues a process of execution against any of its assets or commences proceedings for winding up of the company by order of any court; (b) the company ceases to pay its debts as they fall due; (c) the company ceases to carry on business; (d) the company suffers, after the issue of debentures of the class concerned, losses or diminution in the value of its assets which in the aggregate amount to more than one-half of the total amount owing in respect of debentures of the class held by the debenture holder who seeks to enforce his security and debentures whose holder ranks before him for payment of principal or interest; or (e) any circumstances occur which entitles a debenture holder who ranks for payment of Realisation of debenture holder’s security. Inspection of register and copies of instruments. 128 129

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 principal or interest in priority to the debentures secured by the general floating charges to realise his security.
181. (1) At any time after a debenture holder or a class of
debenture holders becomes entitled to realise his security, a receiver of any assets subject to a mortgage, charge or security in favour of the class of debenture holders or the trustee of the covering trust deed or any other person may be appointed by– (a) that trustee; (b) the holders of debentures of the same class containing power to appoint; (c) debenture holders having more than one-half of the total amount owing in respect of all the debentures of the same class; or (d) the court on the application of the trustee. (2) Subject to any conditions imposed in the debenture or debenture trust deed, a debenture holder or a trustee in the case of a trust deed may– (a) bring an action in a representative capacity against the company for payment and enforcement of the security; or (b) realise his security by– (i) bringing a foreclosure action; or (ii) commencing a winding up proceeding. (3) A receiver appointed under this section shall have, subject to any order made by the court, power to take possession of the assets subject to the mortgage, charge or security and to sell those assets and, if the mortgage, charge or enforce claims vested in the company, to compromise, settle and enter into arrangements in respect of claims by or against the company’s business with a view to selling it on the most favourable terms , to grant or accept leases of land and licences in respect of patents designs and to recover any instalment unpaid on the company’s issued shares. (4) Where a representative action is being brought under paragraph (a) of subsection (2) the approval of the court shall be obtained where the company is being wound up. (5) The remedies given by this section shall be in addition to, and not in substitution for, any other powers and remedies conferred on the trustee of the debenture trust deed or on the debenture holders by the debentures or debenture trust deed, and any power or remedy which is expressed in any instrument to be exercisable if the debenture holders become entitled to realise their security is exercisable on the occurrence of any of the events specified in subsection (1) of section 180, or in the case of a general charge in subsections (1) and (2) of section 180 but a manager of the business or of any of the assets of a company may not be appointed for the benefit of debenture holders unless a receiver has also been appointed and has not ceased to act. (6) No provision in any instrument which purports to exclude or restrict the remedies given by this section shall be valid.
182. (1) Every company shall, within 60 days after the allotment
of any of its debentures or after the registration of the transfer of any debentures deliver to the registered holder thereof, the debenture or a certificate of the debenture stock under the common seal of the company. (2) If a debenture or debenture stock certificate is defaced, lost or destroyed, the company at the request of the registered holder of the debenture, shall issue a certified copy of the debenture or renew the debenture stock certificate on payment of a fee not exceeding Le 5,000 and on such terms as to evidence and indemnity and the payment of the company’s out-of-pocket expenses of investigating evidence as the company may reasonably require. Delivery of debentures or certificate of debenture stock. Remedies available to debenture holders. 130 131

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (3) If default is made in complying with this section, the company and any officer of the company who is in default shall be liable to a fine not exceeding Le3,000,000 and on application by any person entitled to have the debentures or debenture stock certificate delivered to him, the court may order the company to deliver the debenture or debenture stock certificate and may require the company and such officer to bear all the costs of and incidental to the application. (4) Every debenture shall include a statement on the following matters:– (a) the principal amount borrowed; (b) the maximum discount which may be allowed on the issue or re-issue of the debentures, and the maximum premium at which the debentures may be made redeemable; (c) the rate of and the dates on which interest on the debentures issued shall be paid and the manner in which payment shall be made; (d) the date on which the principal amount shall be repaid or the manner in which redemption shall be effected, whether by the payment of instalments of principal or otherwise; (e) in the case of convertible debentures, the date and terms on which the debentures may be converted into shares and the amounts which may be credited as paid up on those shares, and the dates and terms on which the holders may exercise any right to subscribe for shares in right of the debentures held by them; (f) the charges securing the debenture and the conditions subject to which the debenture shall take effect. (5) Statements made in debenture or debenture stock certificates shall be prima facie evidence of the title to the debentures of the person named therein as the registered holder and of the amounts secured thereby. (6) If any person changes his position to his detriment in reliance in good faith on the continued accuracy of any statements made in the debenture or debenture stock certificate, the company shall be estopped in favour of such person from denying the continued accuracy of such statements and shall compensate such person for any loss suffered by him in reliance thereon and which he would not have suffered had the statement been or continued to be accurate. (7) Nothing in subsection (6) shall derogate from any right the company may have to be indemnified by any other person. (8) A contract with a company to take up and pay for any debentures of the company may be enforced by a decree for specific performance. (9) If any person obtains an order for the appointment of a receiver or manager of the property of a company or appoints such a receiver or manager under any power contained in any instrument, he shall, within 7 days from the date of the order or of the appointment under the power, give notice of the fact to the Commission; and the Commission shall, on the payment of the prescribed fee enter the fact in the register of charges. (10) Where any person appointed a receiver or manager of the property of a company under any power
contained in any instrument ceases to act as a receiver or manager, he shall, on so ceasing, give the Commission notice to that effect; and the Commission shall enter the notice in the register of charges. 132 133

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009
PART IX–MEETINGS AND PROCEEDINGS
Statutory meetings
183. (1) Every public company shall, within a period of 6
months from the date of its incorporation hold a general meeting of the members of the company (in this Act referred to as “the statutory meeting”). (2) The directors shall, at least 21 days before the day on which the statutory meeting is held, forward to every member of the company the statutory report (in this Act referred to as the “statutory report”). (3) The statutory report shall be certified by not less than 2 directors or by a director and the secretary of the company and shall state– (a) the total number of shares allotted, distinguishing shares allotted as fully or partly paid up otherwise than in cash, and stating in the case of shares partly paid up the extent to which they are so paid up, and in either case the consideration for which they have been allotted; (b) the total amount of cash received by the company in respect of all the shares allotted, distinguished; (c) the names, addresses and descriptions of the directors, auditors, managers, if any, and secretary of the company; (d) the particulars of any pre-incorporation contracts together with the particulars of any modification or proposed modification of the contracts; (e) any underwriting contract that has not been carried out and the reasons for that; (f) the arrears, if any, due on calls from every director; (g) the particulars of any commission or brokerage paid or to be paid in connection with the issue or sale of shares or debentures to any director or to the manager. (4) The report shall also contain an abstract of the receipts of the company and of the payments made from them up to a date within 7 days of the date of the report, exhibiting under distinctive headings the receipts of the company from shares and debentures and other sources, the payments made from such receipts and particulars concerning the balance remaining in hand, and an account or estimate of the preliminary expenses of the company. (5) The statutory report shall, so far as it relates to- (a) the shares allotted by the company; (b) the cash received in respect of such shares; and (c) the receipt and payments of the company on capital account, be certified as correct by the auditors of the company. (6) The directors shall cause a copy of the statutory report, certified as required by this section, to be delivered to the Commission for registration forthwith after the sending of copies to the members of the company. (7) The directors shall cause a list showing the names, descriptions and addresses of the members of the company, and the number of shares held by them respectively, to be produced at the Statutory meetings. 134 135

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 commencement of the meeting and to remain open and accessible to any member of the company during the continuance of the statutory meeting. (8) The members of the company present at the statutory meeting shall be at liberty to discuss any matter relating to the formation of the company, and its commencement of business or arising out of the statutory report. (9) Any member who wishes a resolution to be passed on any matter arising out of the statutory report shall give further 21 days’ notice from the date on which the statutory report was received to the company of his intention to propose such a resolution. (10) The statutory meeting may adjourn from time to time and at any adjourned meeting any resolution of which notice has been given in accordance with the articles, either before or subsequent to the former meeting, may be passed, and the adjourned meeting shall have the same powers as an original meeting.
184. (1) Without prejudice to paragraph (b) of section 342, if
a company fails to comply with the requirements of section 179 the company and any officer in default shall be guilty of an offence and be liable to a fine of Le500,000for each day during which the default continues. (2) If default is made in holding a statutory meeting within the time stipulated in section 183, the Commission may, on the application of any member of the company call or direct the calling of a statutory meeting and give ancillary or consequential directions as it thinks expedient. General meetings
185. (1) Every company shall in each year hold a general
meeting as its annual general meeting in addition to any other meetings in that year, and shall specify the meeting as such in the notice calling it; and not more than 15 months shall elapse between the date of one annual general meeting of a company and that of the next; but– (a) so long as a company holds its first annual general meeting within 18 months of its incorporation it need not hold it in that year or in the following year; (b) except for the first annual general meeting, the Commission shall have the power to extend the time within which any annual general meeting shall be held, by a period not exceeding 3 months. (2) The annual general meeting shall be held not earlier than 21 days after the company’s profit and loss account and balance sheet, any group accounts, and the reports of the directors and auditors’ thereon shall have been dispatched to members and debenture holders of the company; and the statements, accounts and reports shall be laid before the annual general meeting for consideration. (3) Notwithstanding subsections (1) and (2), if the auditors of a private company and all the members of the company entitled to attend and vote at any annual general meeting agree in writing that an annual general meeting be dispensed with in any year, it shall not be necessary for that company to hold an annual general meeting that year. (4) If default is made in holding a meeting of a company in accordance with subsection (1) the Commission may, on the application of any member of the company call, or direct the calling of, a general meeting of the company and give ancillary or consequential directions as the Commission thinks expedient, including directions modifying or supplementing, in relation to the calling, holding and conducting of the meeting, the operation of the Annual general meeting. Non-compliance and penalty. 136 137

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 company’s articles; and the directions that may be given under this subsection shall include a direction that one member of the company present in person or by proxy may apply to the court for an order to take a decision which shall bind all the members. (5) A general meeting held in pursuance of subsection (4) shall, subject to any directions of the Commission, be deemed to be an annual general meeting of the company; but, where a meeting so held is not held in the year in which the default in holding the company’s annual general meeting occurred, the meeting so held shall not be treated as the annual general meeting for the year in which it is held unless at that meeting the company resolves that it shall be so treated. (6) Where a company resolves that a meeting shall be treated as its annual general meeting, a copy of the resolution shall within 7 days after the passing of the resolution be filed with the Commission. (7) If default is made in holding a meeting of the company in accordance with subsection (1) or in complying with any directions of the Commission under subsection (4) the company and every officer of the company who is in default shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable to a fine not exceeding Le3,000,000 and if default is made in complying with subsection (6), the company and every officer of the company who is in default shall be liable to a fine not exceeding Le3,000,000.
186. All business transacted at annual general meeting shall be
deemed special business, except declaring a dividend, the presentation of the financial statements and the reports of the directors and auditors, the elections of directors in the place of those retiring, the appointment and the fixing of the remuneration of the auditors and the appointment of the members of the Audit Committee, which shall be ordinary business. Extra-ordinary general meetings
187. (1) The Board of directors may convene an extraordinary
general meeting whenever they think fit, and if at any time there are not within Sierra Leone sufficient directors capable of acting to form a quorum, any director may convene an extraordinary general meeting. (2) An extraordinary general meeting of a company may be requisitioned by any member or members of the company holding at the date of the requisition not less than one-tenth of the paid up capital of the company as at the date of the deposit of the requisition carrying the right of voting, or in the case of a company not having a share capital, members of the company representing not less than one-tenth of the total voting rights of all the members having at the date a right to vote at general meetings of the company; and the directors shall on receipt of the requisition forthwith proceed to convene an extraordinary general meeting of the company, notwithstanding anything in its articles. (3) The requisition shall state the objects of the meeting, and be signed by the requisitionists and be deposited at the registered office of the company, and it may consist of several documents in like form each signed by one or more of the requisitionists. (4) If the directors do not, within 21 days from the date of the deposit of the requisition proceed duly to convene a meeting, the requisitionists, or any one or more of them representing more than one-half of the total voting rights of all of them, may themselves convene a meeting; but any meeting so convened shall not be held after the expiration of 3 months from that date. (5) A meeting convened under this section by a requisitionist or requisitionists shall be convened in the same manner, as nearly as possible, as that in which meetings are to be convened by directors. Business transacted at annual general meetings. Extraordinary general meetings. 138 139

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (6) Any reasonable expenses incurred by the requisitionist or requisitionists by reason of the failure of the directors duly to convene a meeting shall be repaid to the requisitionsts by the company, and any sum so repaid shall be retained by the company out of any sums due or to become due from the company by way of fees or other remuneration in respect of their services to such of the directors as were in default. (7) For the purpose of this section, the directors shall, in the case of a meeting at which a resolution is to be proposed as a special resolution, be deemed not to have duly convened the meeting if they do not give such notice as is required by section 189. (8) All business transacted at an extraordinary general meeting shall be deemed special.
188. Unless the company’s articles otherwise provide, all general
meetings shall be held in Sierra Leone.
Notice of meetings
189. (1) The notice required for all types of general meetings
from the commencement of this Act shall be 21 days from the date on which the notice was sent out. (2) A general meeting of a company shall, notwithstanding that it is called by a shorter notice than that specified in subsection (1) be deemed to have been duly called if it is so agreed in the case of– (a) a meeting called as the annual general meeting, by all the members entitled to attend and vote there at; and (b) any other general meeting, by a majority in number of the members having a right to attend and vote at the meeting, being a majority together holding not less than 95 per cent in nominal value of the shares giving a right to attend and vote at the meeting or, in the case of a company not having a share capital, together representing not less than 95 per cent of the total voting rights at that meeting of all the members. (3) No business shall be transacted at any general meeting unless notice of it has been duly given. (4) The accidental omission to give notice of a meeting or the non-receipt of notice of a meeting by any member shall not invalidate the proceedings at the meeting.
190. (1) The notice of a meeting shall specify the place, date
and time of the meeting, and the general nature of the business to be transacted in sufficient detail to enable those to whom it is given to decide whether to attend or not, and where the meeting is to consider a special resolution it shall set out the terms of the resolution. (2) In the case of notice of an annual general meeting a statement that the purpose is to transact the ordinary business of an annual general meeting shall be deemed to be a sufficient specification that the business is for the declaration of dividends, presentation of the financial statements, reports of the directors and auditors, the election of directors in the place of those retiring, the fixing of the remuneration of the auditors and, if the requirements of sections 292, 293 and 294 are duly complied with, the removal and election of auditors and directors. (3) In every case in which a member is entitled, pursuant to section 197, to appoint a proxy to attend and vote instead of him, the notice shall contain with reasonable prominence, a statement that the member has the right to appoint a proxy to attend and vote instead of him and that the proxy need not be a member of the company; and if default is made in complying with this subsection as respects any meeting, every officer of the company who is in default shall be guilty of an offence and be liable to a fine not exceeding Le3,000,000. Contents of notice. Place of meetings. Length of notice for calling meetings. 140 141

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (4) An error or omission in a notice with respect to the place, date, time or general nature of the business of a meeting shall not invalidate the meeting, unless the officer of the company responsible for the error or omission acted in bad faith or failed to exercise due care and diligence; but in the case of accidental error or omission, the officer responsible shall effect the necessary correction either before or during the meeting.
191. (1) The following persons shall be entitled to receive
notice of general meetings–
(a) every member of the company;
(b) every person upon whom the ownership of a share devolves by reason of his being a legal representative, receiver or a trustee in bankruptcy of a member; (c) every director of the company; (d) every auditor for the time being of the company; and (e) the secretary. (2) No other person shall be entitled to receive notices of general meetings.
192. (1) A notice required to be given under subsection (1) of
section 189 shall be given either personally, by post or by electronic
means to the registered address either in Sierra Leone or elsewhere, of the person entitled to receive the notice. (2) Where a notice is sent by post, service of the notice shall be deemed to be effected where a letter containing the notice has been properly addressed, prepaid, and posted and unless the contrary is proved to have been effected in the case of a notice of a meeting at the expiration of 7 days after the letter containing the notice is posted, and in any other case at the time at which the letter would be delivered in the ordinary course of post. (3) If a person has no registered address in Sierra Leone and has not supplied to the company an address within Sierra Leone for the giving of notice to him, a notice addressed to him published in the Gazette or advertised in a newspaper circulating in the area of the registered office of the company, shall be deemed to be duly given to him at noon on the day on which the later notice appears. (4) A notice may be given by the company to the joint holders of a share by giving the notice to the joint holder first named in the register of members in respect of the share. (5) A notice may be given by the company to the persons entitled to a share in consequence of the death or bankruptcy of a member by sending it through the post in a prepaid letter addressed to them by name, or by the title of the representatives of the deceased, or trustee of the bankrupt, or by any like description, at the address, if any, within Sierra Leone supplied for the purpose by the person claiming to be so entitled, or (until such an address has been so supplied) by giving the notice in any manner in which it might have been given if the death or bankruptcy had not occurred. (6) “Registered address” means, in the case of a member, any address supplied by him to the company for the giving of notice to him and includes an e-mail address.
193. In addition to the notice required to be given to those
entitled to receive it in accordance with section 190, every public company shall, at least 21 days before any general meeting, advertise notice of such meeting in at least two daily newspapers and on the radio.
194. Failure to give notice of any meeting to a person entitled to
receive it shall invalidate the meeting unless the failure is an accidental omission on the part of the person or persons giving the notice. Additional notice. Persons entitled to notice. Service of notice. Failure to give notice. 142 143

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009
195. (1) If for any reason it is impracticable to call a meeting
of a company or of the board of directors in any manner in which meetings of that company or board may be called, or to conduct the meeting of the company or board in the manner prescribed by the articles or this Act the court may– (a) of its own motion, or (b) on the application of any director of the company or of any member of the company who would be entitled to vote at the meeting, order a meeting of the company or board, as the case may be, to be called, held and conducted in such manner as the court thinks fit, and where such order is made may give such ancillary or consequential directions as it thinks expedient; and these may include a direction that one member of the company present in person or by proxy be deemed to constitute a meeting, either of its own motion or otherwise. (2) Any meeting called, held and conducted in accordance with an order under subsection (1) shall for all purposes be deemed to be a meeting of the company duly called, held and conducted.
196. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in a company’s
articles, the following persons shall be entitled to attend any general meeting of the company:– (a) every member of the company; (b) every director of the company; (c) the secretary of the company; (d) every auditor of the company; and (i) if the company’s articles so provide, a member shall not be entitled to attend unless all calls or other moneys payable by him in respect of shares in the company have been paid; (ii) any member who is a holder of preference shares only shall not be entitled to attend if his right to do so is validly suspended under this Act; (iii) nothing in this Part shall be deemed to preclude other persons from attending any general meeting with the permission of the chairman.
197. (1) Any member of a company entitled to attend and vote
at a meeting of the company shall be entitled to appoint another person (whether a member or not) as his proxy to attend and vote instead of him, and the proxy shall also have the same right as a member to speak at the meeting. (2) Unless the articles otherwise provide, subsection (1) shall not apply in the case of a company not having a share capital. (3) In every notice calling a meeting of a company having a share capital, there shall appear with reasonable prominence a statement that a member entitled to attend and vote is entitled to appoint a proxy, or where that is allowed, two or more proxies, to attend and vote instead of him, and that a proxy need not be a member; and if default is made in complying with this subsection in respect of any meeting, every officer of the company who is in default shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding Le3,000,000. (4) Any provision contained in a company’s articles shall be void in so far as it would have the effect of requiring the instrument appointing a proxy or any other document necessary to show the validity of or otherwise relating to the appointment of a proxy, to be received by the company or any other person more than 48 hours before a meeting or adjourned meeting in order that the appointment may be effective at the meeting. Proxies. Court to order meetings. Right to attend general meetings. 144 145

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (5) If for the purpose of the meeting of the company invitations to appoint as proxy a person or one of a number of persons specified in the invitations are issued at the company’s expense to some only of the members entitled to be sent notice of the meeting and to vote by proxy at the meeting every officer of the company who knowingly and will fully authorises or permits their issue shall be guilty of an offence and be liable to a fine not exceeding Le5,000,000. (6) An officer shall not be liable under subsection (5) by reason only of the issue to a member at his request in writing of a form of appointment naming the proxy or of a list of persons willing to act as proxy if the form or list is available on request in writing to every member entitled to vote at the meeting by proxy. (7) A vote given in accordance with the terms of an instrument of proxy shall be valid notwithstanding the previous death or insanity of the principal or revocation of the proxy or of the authority by which the proxy was executed, or of the transfer of shares in respect of which the proxy is given:
Provided that no intimation in writing of such death, insanity, revocation or transfer has been received by the company before the commencement of the meeting or adjourned meeting at which the proxy is used. (8) The instrument appointing a proxy shall be in writing under the hand of the appointer or his attorney duly authorised in writing or, if the appointer is a corporation either under seal or under the hand of an officer or attorney duly authorised. (9) The instrument appointing a proxy in the power of attorney or other authority, if any, under which it is signed or a certified copy of that power or authority shall be deposited at the registered office or the head office of the company or at such other place within Sierra Leone as is specified for that purpose in the notice convening the meeting, not less than 48 hours before the time for holding the meeting or adjourned meeting at which the person named in the instrument proposed to vote, or in the case of a poll not less than 24 hours before the time appointed for the taking of the poll; and in default, the instrument of proxy shall be treated as not valid. (10) This section shall apply to meetings of any class of members of a company as it applies to general meetings of the company.
198. (1) A corporation, whether a company within the meaning
of this Act or not may–
(a) if it is a member of another corporation being a company within the meaning of this Act, by resolution of its directors or other governing body, authorise such person as it thinks fit to act as its representative at any meeting of the company or at any meeting of any class of members of the company; (b) if it is a creditor (including a holder of debentures) of another corporation, being a company within the meaning of this Act, by resolution of its directors or other governing body, authorise such person as it thinks fit to act as its representative at any meeting of the creditors of the company held in pursuance of this Act or of any regulations made under it or in pursuance of any provisions contained in any debenture or trust deed, as the case may be. (2) A person authorised under subsection (1) shall be entitled to exercise the same powers on behalf of the corporation which he represents as that corporation could exercise if it were an individual shareholder, creditor or holder of debentures, of that company. Corporation representation at meetings of companies. 146 147

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009
199. (1) Unless otherwise provided in the articles, no business
shall be transacted at any general meeting unless a quorum of members is present at the time when the meeting proceeds to business and at the time of any voting. (2) Unless otherwise provided in the articles, the quorum for the meeting of a company shall be one-third of the total number of members of the company or 25 members (whichever is less) present in person or by proxy, but where the number of members is not a multiple of three, then the number nearest to one-third, and where the number of members is 6 or less, the quorum shall be two members. (3) This section does not apply to one-man companies. (4) For the purpose of determining a quorum, all members or their proxies shall be counted. (5) If within half an hour from the time appointed for the meeting a quorum is not present, the meeting, if convened upon the requisition of members shall be dissolved; in any other case it shall be adjourned to the same day in the next week, at the same time and place, and if at the adjourned meeting a quorum is not present within half an hour from the time appointed for the meeting the members present shall form a quorum.
200. (1) A resolution shall be an ordinary resolution when it
has been passed by a simple majority of votes cast by such members of the company as, being entitled to do so, vote in person or by proxy at a general meeting. (2) A resolution shall be a special resolution when it has been passed by not less than two-thirds of the votes cast by such members of the company as, being entitled to do so, vote in person or by proxy at a general meeting of which 21 days’ notice, specifying the intention to propose the resolution as a special resolution, has been duly given; and, if it is so agreed by a majority in number of the members having the right to attend and vote at any such meeting, being a majority together holding not less than 95 percent in nominal value of the shares giving that right or, in the case of a company not having a share capital, together representing not less than 95 per cent of the total voting rights at that meeting of all the members, a resolution may be proposed and passed as a special resolution at a meeting of which less than 21 days’ notice has been given.
201. (1) All resolutions shall be passed at general meetings
and shall not be effective unless so passed; but in the case of a private company a written resolution signed by all the members entitled to attend and vote shall be as valid and effective as if passed in a general meeting. (2) A written resolution shall be deemed to have been passed on the date on which it was signed by the last member to sign, and where the resolution states a date as the date of signature by any member, such statement shall be prima facie evidence that it was signed by that member on that date.
202. (1) Subject to this section, it shall be the duty of a
company, on the requisition in writing of such number of members as is specified in this section and (unless the company otherwise resolves) at the expense of the company to– (a) give to members of the company entitled to receive notice of the next annual general meeting notice of any resolution submitted by a member which may properly be moved and is intended to be moved at that meeting; (b) circulate to members entitled to have notice of any general meeting sent to them, any statement of not more than 1,000 words with respect to the matter referred to in any proposed resolution or the business to be Written resolutions. Resolutions. Quorum. Circulation of members’ resolutions. 148 149

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 dealt with at that meeting, and where the statement has more than 1,000 words, to circulate a summary of it. (2) The number of members necessary for a requisition under subsection (1) shall be– (a) any one or more members representing not less than one twentieth of the total voting rights of all the members having at the date of the requisition a right to vote at the meeting to which the requisition relates; or (b) not less than one hundred members holding shares in the company on which there has been paid up an average sum, per member, of not less than Le20,000. (3) Notice of the resolution shall be given, and the statement shall be circulated, to members of the company entitled to have notice of the meeting sent to them by serving a copy of the resolution or statement on each member in any manner permitted for service of notice of the meeting: and notice of the resolution shall be given to any other member of the company by giving notice of the general effect of the resolution in any manner permitted for giving notice of meetings of the company; and the copy shall be served, or notice of the effect of the resolution shall be given, as the case may be, in the same manner and so far as practicable, at the same time as notice of the meeting and where it is not practicable for it to be served or given at that time, it shall be served or given as soon as practicable after that. (4) A company shall not be bound under this section to give notice of any resolution or to circulate any statement unless– (a) a copy of the requisition signed by the requisitionists (or two or more copies which between them contain the signatures of all the requisitionists) is deposited at the registered office of the company- (i) in the case of a requisition requiring notice of a resolution, not less than 6 weeks before the meeting; (ii) in the case of any other requisition, not less than one week before the meeting; and (b) there is deposited or tendered with the requisition, a sum reasonably sufficient to meet the company’s expenses in giving effect to it and if, after a copy of a requisition requiring notice of a resolution has been deposited at the registered office of the company, an annual general meeting is called for a date 6 weeks or less after the copy has been deposited, the copy though not deposited within the time required by this subsection, shall be deemed to have been properly deposited for the purposes thereof. (5) The company shall also not be bound under this
section to circulate any statement if, on the application either of the
company or of any other person who claims to be aggrieved, the court if satisfied that the rights conferred by this section are being abused to secure needless publicity for defamatory matter may order the company’s costs on an application under this section to be paid in whole or in part by the requisitionist, notwithstanding that the requisitionist is not party to the application. (6) Notwithstanding anything in the company’s articles, the business which may be dealt with at an annual general meeting shall include any resolution of which notice is given in accordance 150 151

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 with this section and for the purposes of this subsection, notice shall be deemed to have been so given, notwithstanding the accidental omission, in giving it to one or more members. (7) In the event of any default in complying with the provisions of this section, every officer of the company who is in default shall be guilty of an offence and be liable to a fine not exceeding Le3,000,000
203. (1) Where by any provision in this Act, special notice is
required of a resolution, a resolution shall not be effective unless notice of the intention to move it has been given to the company not less than 28 days before the meeting at which it is to be moved, and the company shall give its members notice of any such resolution at the same time and the same manner as it gives notice of the meeting or, if that is not practicable, shall give the notice either by advertisement in a local newspaper or in another note allowed by the articles, not less than 21 days before the meeting. (2) If after the notice of the intention to move such a resolution has been given to the company, a meeting is called for a date not later than 28 days or less after the notice has been given, the notice though not given within the time required by this section shall be deemed to have been properly given.
204. (1) Subject to paragraph (b) of subsection (10) of section
42 a printed copy of every resolution or agreement to which this
section applies shall, within 15 days after the passing or making of
the resolution or agreement as the case may be, be forwarded to the Commission. (2) Where pursuant to sections 40 to 42 a company by special resolution alters a provision of its memorandum and the Commission is satisfied that the alteration is not in compliance with the applicable provisions of those sections, it may refuse to file a copy of the resolution in its records, and shall notify the company accordingly; and any person aggrieved by the refusal may appeal to the court within 21 days from the receipt of the notification. (3) A copy of every resolution or agreement for the time being in force shall be embodied in or annexed to every copy of the articles issued after the passing of the resolution or the making of the agreement. (4) This section applies to– (a) special resolutions; (b) resolutions which have been agreed to by all the members of the company, but which , if not so agreed, would not have been effective for their purpose unless as the case may be, they had been passed as a special resolution; or (c) resolutions or agreements which have been agreed to by all the members of any class of shareholders but which, if not so agreed to, would not have been effective for their purpose, unless they have been passed by some particular majority or otherwise in some particular manner, and all resolutions and agreements which effectively bind all the members of any class of shareholders though not agreed to by all those members; and (d) a resolution requiring the company to be wound up voluntarily, passed under paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section 402. (5) If a company fails to comply with subsection (3) the company and every officer of the company who is in default shall be guilty of an offence and be liable to a fine not exceeding Le3,000,000. (6) For the purposes of subsections (4) and (5), a liquidator of the company shall be deemed to be an officer of the company. Resolutions requiring special notice. Registration and copies of certain resolutions. 152 153

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009
205. (1) Where a resolution is passed at an adjourned meeting
of–
(a) a company;
(b) the holders of any class of shares in a company; or (c) the directors of a company, the resolution shall for all purposes be treated as having been passed on the day on which it was in fact passed, and shall not be deemed to have been passed on any earlier date. (2) Where a resolution is passed on a poll, it shall for all purposes be deemed to have been passed on the day on which the result of the poll is declared, and not on any earlier day. Miscellaneous matters relating to meetings and proceedings
206. (1) Every company shall cause–
(a) minutes of all proceedings of general meetings; (b) all proceedings at meetings of its directors; and (c ) where there are managers, all proceedings at meetings of its managers, to be entered in books kept for that purpose. (2) Any minutes if purporting to be signed by the chairman of the meeting at which the proceedings were held, or by the chairman of the next succeeding meeting, shall be prima facie evidence of the proceedings. (3) Where minutes have been made, in accordance with the provisions of this section of the proceedings at any general meeting of the company or meeting of directors or managers, then, until the contrary is proved, the meeting shall be deemed to have been duly held and convened, and all proceedings had at the meeting to have been duly had, and all appointments of directors, managers or liquidators shall be deemed to be valid. (4) If a company fails to comply with the provisions of subsection (1), the company and every officer of the company who is in default shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding Le3,000,000.
207. (1) The books containing the minutes of proceedings of
any general meeting of a company held on or after the commencement of this Act, shall be kept at the registered office of the company, and shall, during business hours (subject to such reasonable restrictions as the company may by its articles or in general meeting impose, but so that not less than 6 hours in each day be allowed for inspection) be open to inspection by members without charge. (2) Any member shall be entitled to be furnished within 14 days after receipt of his request in that behalf to the company, with a copy of such minutes certified by the Secretary at a charge not exceeding Le5,000 for every hundred words. (3) If any inspection required under this section is refused or if any copy required under this section is not sent within the proper time, the company and every officer of the company who is in default shall be guilty of an offence and be liable in respect of each offence to a fine not exceeding Le10,000,000. (4) In the case of such refusal or default, the court may by order compel an immediate inspection of the books in respect of all proceedings of general meetings, or direct that the copies required shall be sent to the persons requiring them.
208. This Part shall apply to any class of meetings except where
expressly excluded by this Act.
Inspection of minute books and copies.
Class of meetings.
Effect of resolutions passed at adjourned meetings.
Minutes of proceedings and effect.
154 155

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009
PART X–DIRECTORS AND SECRETARIES OF COMPANY
Directors
209. (1) There shall be a rebuttable presumption in favour of
any person dealing with the company that all persons who are described by the company as directors, whether as executive or otherwise, have been duly appointed. (2) Any person not being a duly appointed director of a company– (a) who holds himself out or knowingly allows himself to be held out as a director of that company; or (b) on whose directions or instructions the duly appointed directors are accustomed to act, shall be subject to the same duties and liabilities as if he were a duly appointed director of the company. (3) Nothing in subsection (3) shall derogate from the duties and liabilities of the duly appointed directors, including the duty not to act on the directions or instructions of any other person. (4) If any person, not being a duly appointed director of a company holds himself out, or knowingly allows himself to be held out as a director of the company or if the company holds out such person or knowingly allows the person to hold himself out as a director of the company, the person or the company, as the case may be, shall be guilty of an offence and be liable to a fine not exceeding Le8,000,000.
210. Without prejudice to sections 211 and 215 “shadow
director” shall include any person on whose instructions and directions the directors are accustomed to act. Appointment of directors
211. (1) Every company registered after the commencement
of this Act shall have at least two directors.
(2) Any company whose number of directors falls below two shall, within one month of its so falling appoint new directors and shall not carry on business after the expiration of 3 months, unless new directors are appointed. (3) A director of a company who knows that a company carried on business for more than 30 days after the number of directors had fallen below two shall be liable for all liabilities and debts incurred by the company during that period when the company so carried on business. (4) A director shall, immediately after being appointed as such indicate in writing that he has accepted the appointment.
212. (1) The members at the annual general meeting shall have
power to re-elect or not to re-elect existing directors and to appoint new ones. (2) In the event of all the directors and the only surviving shareholder dying, any of the personal representatives shall be entitled to apply to the court for an order to convene a meeting of all the personal representatives of the shareholders entitled to attend and vote at a general meeting to appoint new directors to manage the company, and if they fail to convene a meeting, the creditors, if any, to do so. (3) This section shall not apply to one-man companies.
213. (1) The board of directors shall have power to appoint
new directors to fill any casual vacancy arising out of the death, resignation, retirement or removal of any director but the persons so appointed shall retire at the same time as the directors in whose place they were appointed. Meaning of “directors”. Shadow directors. Number of directors. Subsequent appointment of directors. Casual vacancy. 156 157

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (2) Where a casual vacancy is filled by the directors, the person so appointed may be approved by the company at the next general meeting and if not so approved, he shall forthwith cease to be a director. (3) The directors may, at any time appoint a person as an additional director who shall retire from office at the next following ordinary general meeting, but shall be eligible for election by the company at that meeting as an additional director.
214. Where a person not duly appointed as a director acts as
such on behalf of the company, his act shall not bind the company and he shall be personally liable for such action; but where it is the company which holds him out as director, the company shall be bound by his acts. (2) The acts of a director or manager shall be valid notwithstanding any defect that may afterwards be discovered in his appointment or qualification. (3) Nothing in subsection (2) shall be deemed to give validity to acts done by a director after the appointment of the director has been shown to be invalid.
215. (1) The shareholding qualification for directors may be
fixed by the articles of association or by the company in general meeting and unless and until so fixed no shareholding qualification shall be required. (2) It shall be the duty of every director who is by the articles of the company required to hold a specified share qualification, and who is not already so qualified, to obtain his qualification within 2 months after his appointment or such shorter time as may be fixed by the articles. (3) The office of director of a company shall be vacated if the director does not, within 2 months from the date of his appointment, obtain his qualification or after the expiration of the period, he ceases at any time to hold his shareholding qualification. (4) A person vacating office under this section shall be incapable of being re-appointed director of the company until he has obtained his shareholding qualification. (5) For the purpose of any provision in the articles requiring a director to hold a specified share qualification, the bearer of a share warrant shall not be deemed to be the holder of the shares specified in the warrant.
216. (1) Any person who is appointed or to his knowledge is
proposed to be appointed director of a public company and who is 70 or more years old shall disclose this fact in writing to the members at the general meeting. (2) Any person who fails to disclose his age as required under this section or makes a false disclosure in relation to his age shall be guilty of offence and be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding Le5,000,000.
217. If any person, being an undischarged bankrupt acts as
director or directly or indirectly takes part in or is concerned in the management of any company, he shall be guilty of an offence and be liable to a fine not exceeding Le5,000,000., or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, or to both the fine and imprisonment.
218. (1) Where–
(a) a person is convicted by a court of any offence in connection with the promotion, formation or management of a company or an offence involving fraud or dishonesty; or (b) in the course of winding up a company it appears that a person- (i) has committed any offence referred to under paragraph (a); or Duty of directors to disclose age to company. Insolvent persons acting as directors Restraint of fraudulent persons. Liability of a person where not duly appointed. Share qualification of directors. 158 159

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (ii) has otherwise been found guilty, while an officer of the company, of any fraud in relation to the company or of any breach of his duty to the company, the court shall make an order that that person shall not be a director of or in any way, whether directly or indirectly, be concerned or take
part in the management of a company for a specified period not
exceeding 10 years.
(2) A person intending to apply for the making of an order under this section, shall give not less than 10 days notice of his intention to the person against whom the order is sought; and on the hearing of the application, the last mentioned person may appear and himself give evidence or call witnesses. (3) An application for the making of an order by the court having jurisdiction to wind up a company may be made by the official receiver, or by the liquidator of the company or by any person who is or has been a member or creditor of the company; and on the hearing of any application for an order by the official receiver or the liquidator, or of any application for leave under this section by a person against whom an order has been made on the application of the official receiver or liquidator, the official receiver or liquidator shall appear and call the attention of the court to any matters which seem to him to be relevant, and may himself give evidence or call witnesses. (4) An order may be made by virtue of sub paragraph (ii) of paragraph (b) of subsection (1), notwithstanding that the person concerned may be criminally liable in respect of the matters on the ground of which the order is to be made; and for the purposes of that paragraph “officer” includes any person in accordance with whose directions or instructions the directors of the company have been accustomed to act. (5) If any person acts in contravention of an order made under this section, he shall be guilty of an offence and in respect of each offence, be liable to a fine not exceeding Le5,000,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, or to both the fine and imprisonment.
219. The following persons shall be disqualified from being
directors:–
(a) a person under the age of 18 years; (b) a lunatic or person of unsound mind; (c) a person who is an undischarged bankrupt; and (d) a person convicted, whether in Sierra Leone or elsewhere, of any offence involving fraud or dishonesty or any offence in connection with the promotion, formation or management of a company.
220. (1) Unless the articles otherwise provide, at the first
annual general meeting of the company, all the directors shall retire from office, and at the annual general meeting in every subsequent year one-third of the directors for the time being, or if their number is not three or a multiple of three, then the number nearest one-third shall retire from office. (2) A retiring director shall be eligible for re-election. (3) The directors to retire in every year shall be those who have been longest in office since their last election, but as between persons who became directors on the same day those to retire shall (unless they otherwise agree among themselves) be determined by lot. (4) The company at the meeting at which a director retires in the manner mentioned in subsections (1) and (2) may fill the vacated office by electing a person to that office and failing which the retiring director shall, if offering himself for re-election, be deemed to have been re-elected, unless at such meeting it is expressly resolved not to fill such vacated office or unless a resolution for the re-election of such director shall have been put to the meeting and lost. Disqualification for directorship. Rotation of directors. 160 161

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (5) The annual general meeting shall have power to increase or reduce the number of directors generally and may determine in what rotation the directors shall retire but such direction shall not invalidate any prior act of the directors so removed.
221. (1) At a general meeting of a company other than a private
company, a motion for the appointment of two or more persons as directors of the company by a single resolution shall not be made, unless a resolution that it shall be so made has first been passed unanimously by the meeting. (2) A resolution passed in contravention of this section shall be void, whether or not it was objected to at the time:
Provided that-
(a) this subsection shall not be taken as excluding the operation of section 220; and (b) where a resolution so moved is passed, no provision for automatic re-appointment of retiring directors in default of another appointment shall apply. (3) For the purposes of this section, a motion for approving a person’s appointment or for nominating a person for appointment shall be treated as a motion for his appointment. (4) Nothing in this section shall apply to a resolution altering the company’s articles.
222. (1) Unless the articles of association otherwise provide a
company may, by ordinary resolution remove any director before the expiration of his period of office and may, by ordinary resolution appoint another person in his place but the director to be removed shall have a right to make representations to the meeting at which the ordinary resolution is passed. (2) The person so appointed shall be subject to retirement at the same time as if he had become a director on the day on which the director in whose place he is appointed was last elected as a director. (3) Nothing in this section shall be taken as depriving a person removed under it of compensation or damages payable to him in respect of the termination of his appointment as a director or of any appointment terminating with that as director, or as derogating from any power to remove a director which may exist apart from this section. Remuneration and other payments
223. (1) Subject to this section, the fees and other
remuneration payable to the directors in whatsoever capacity, shall be determined from time to time by ordinary resolution of the company and not by any provision in the articles or in any agreement, which provision shall be null and void. (2) The fees payable to the directors as such shall be determined from time to time by ordinary resolution of the company and not in any other way; but where the articles of an existing company contain any provision fixing the fees payable to the directors, such provision shall continue in operation and have effect until the date of the first annual general meeting of the company held next after the commencement of this Act. (3) Unless otherwise resolved, the fees payable to directors shall be deemed to accrue from day-to-day and the directors shall also be entitled to be paid all travelling and other expenses properly incurred by them in attending and returning from meetings of the directors or any committee of the directors or general meeting of the company or otherwise in connection with the business of the company.
224. A managing director shall receive such remuneration
(whether by way of salary, commission or participation in profits, or partly in one way, and partly in another), as may be determined by the board of directors. Mode of voting on appointment of directors. Removal of directors. Remuneration of directors. Remuneration of managing directors. 162 163

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009
225. (1) It shall not be lawful for a company to make a loan to
any person who is its director or a director of its holding company, or to enter into any guarantee or provide any security in connection with a loan made to such a person by any other person. (2) Nothing in this section shall apply- (a) subject to subsection (3), to anything done to provide such person as mentioned in this subsection with funds to meet expenditure incurred or to be incurred by him for the purposes of the company or for the purpose of enabling him properly to perform his duties as an officer of the company; or (b) in the case of a company whose ordinary business includes the lending of money or the giving of guarantee in connection with loans made by other persons, to anything done by the company in the ordinary course of that business. (3) Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) does not authorise the making of any loan, or the entering into any guarantee, or the provision of any security except- (a) with the prior approval of the company given at a general meeting at which the purposes of the expenditure and the amount of the loan or the extent of the guarantee or security, as the case may be, are disclosed; (b) on condition that, if the approval of the company is not given as in subsection (1) at or before the next following annual general meeting, the loan shall be repaid or the liability under the guarantee or security shall be discharged, as the case may be, within 6 months from the conclusion of that meeting. (4) Where the approval of the company is not given as required by the condition referred to in paragraph (a) of subsection (3), the directors authorising the making of the loan, or the entering into the guarantee, or the provision of the security, shall be jointly and severally liable to indemnify the company against any loss arising from it.
226. It shall not be lawful for a company to make to any director
or former director of the company or any associated company any payment by way of compensation for loss of office, or as consideration for or in connection with his retirement from office, unless particulars with respect to the proposed payment and the amount have been disclosed to members of the company and the proposal is approved by the company by ordinary resolution.
227. (1) If in connection with the transfer of the whole or any
part of the undertaking or property of a company, it is proposed to
make any payment to a director of the company by way of compensation for loss of office, or as consideration for or in connection with his retirement from office, the payment shall be unlawful unless particulars with respect to the proposal and the amount, have been disclosed to members of the company and the proposal is approved by the company. (2) Where a payment declared by this section to be illegal is made to a director of a company, the amount received shall be deemed to have been received by him in trust for the company.
228. (1) Where, in connection with the transfer to any persons
of all or any of the shares in a company, being a transfer resulting from - (a) an offer made to the general body of shareholders; (b) an offer made by or on behalf of some other Prohibition of loans to directors in certain circumstances. Payment by company for loss of office etc. to be approved. Payment to director for loss of office etc. or transfer of property illegal. Directors to disclose payment for loss of office, in certain cases. 164 165

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 body corporate with a view to the company becoming its subsidiary or a subsidiary of its holding company; (c) an offer made by or on behalf of an individual with a view to his obtaining the right to exercise or control the exercise of not less than one third of the voting power at any general meeting of the company; or (d) any other offer which is conditional on acceptance to a given extent, payment is to be made to a director of the company by way of compensation for loss of office, or as consideration for or in connection with his retirement from office, it shall be the duty of that director to do all things reasonably necessary to ensure that particulars with respect to the proposed payment and the amount, are included in or sent with any notice of the offer made for their shares which is given to any shareholders. (2) If– (a) any director referred to in subsection (1) fails to do all things reasonably necessary as mentioned in this section; or (b) any person who has been properly required by such director to include the particulars in or send them with such notice fails to do so, he shall be guilty of an offence and be liable to a fine not exceeding Le5,000,000. (3) If– (a) the requirements of subsection (1) are not complied with in relation to such payments as are mentioned in it; or (b) the making of the proposed payment is not, before the transfer of any shares in pursuance of the offer, approved at a meeting summoned by the holders of the shares to which the offer relates of the same class as any of the shares at a meeting summoned for that purpose, any sum received by the director on account of the payment shall be deemed to have been received by him in trust for any person who has sold his shares as a result of the offer made, and the expenses incurred by him in distributing that sum among those persons shall be borne by him and not retained out of that sum. (4) If, in connection with any transfer- (a) the price to be paid to a director of the company whose office is to be abolished or who is to retire from office, for any shares in the company held by him is in excess of the price which could at the time have been obtained by other holders of the same shares; or (b) any valuable consideration is given to the director, the excess or the money value of the consideration, as the case may be, shall for the purposes of this section, be deemed to have been a payment made to him by way of compensation for loss of office or as consideration for or in connection with his retirement from office. (5) Nothing in this section shall prejudice the operation of any rule of law requiring disclosure to be made with respect to any payments made under this section or with respect to any other like payments made, or to be made, to the directors of a company.
229. (1) For the purposes of sections 227 and 228 the
expression “payment” includes any benefit or advantage whether in cash or in kind. Provisions supplemental to sections 227 and 228. 166 167

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (2) Sections 227 and 228 shall not render unlawful or apply to the payment of damages awarded or approved by any competent court for breach of any valid service agreement or the bona fide payment of any pension or superannuation benefit in respect of past services in accordance with a valid service agreement. Powers and duties of directors
230. (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act or
any provision in the company’s articles, the directors of a company having a share capital shall not, without the approval of a special resolution of the company– (a) sell, lease or otherwise dispose of the whole, or substantially the whole, of the undertaking or of the assets of the company; (b) issue any new or unissued shares, other than treasury shares, in the company unless the shares shall first have been offered on the same terms and conditions to all the existing shareholders or to all the holders of the shares of the class or classes being issued in proportion as nearly as maybe to their existing holdings; (c) make voluntary contributions to any charitable or other funds, other than pension funds for the benefit of employees of the company or any associated company, of any amounts the aggregate of which will, in any financial year of the company, exceed Le10,000,000 or 2 per cent of the income surplus of the company at the end of the preceding financial year, whichever is the greater; but– (i) no resolution of the company shall be effective as approving of such transaction as is referred to in paragraph (a) unless it authorises in terms the specific transaction proposed by the directors; (ii) no resolution of the company shall be effective as approving of such a transaction referred to in paragraph (a) if passed more than one year before the issue of the shares unless such issue is in accordance with a scheme for the time being in force relating to the issue of shares to or for the benefit of persons bona fide in the employment of the company or any of its associated companies. (2) Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) shall not apply to private companies. (3) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act or in the company’s articles or in any resolution of the company in general meeting, no new or unissued shares or treasury shares shall be issued to any director or past director of the company or of any associated company or to his nominee or to any body corporate controlled by him unless the shares shall first have been offered on the same terms and conditions to all the existing shareholders or to all the holders of the shares of the class or classes being issued in proportion to their existing holdings or, in the case of a public company, to members of the public. (4) For the purposes of subsection (3), a body corporate shall be deemed to be controlled by a director if the body corporate or its directors are accustomed to act in accordance with the directions Limitations on the powers of directors. 168 169

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 or instructions of such director or his nominee or if at a general meeting of the body corporate such director or his nominee is entitled to exercise or control the exercise of one-third or more of the voting power. (5) Nothing in this section shall prohibit- (a) the issue of any shares under a bona fide underwriting agreement; or (b) the issue to a director at a fair price payable in cash of such shares, if any, as under the articles of the company, he is required to hold by way of share qualification. (6) Unless the company’s articles otherwise provide, the directors of a company having a share capital shall not, without the approval of a special resolution of the company, exercise the company’s power to borrow money or to charge any of its assets where the moneys to be borrowed or secured, together with the amount remaining undischarged of moneys already borrowed or secured, apart from temporary loans obtained from the company’s bankers in the ordinary course of business, will exceed the share capital for the time being of the company. (7) No person dealing with the company in good faith or registering any disposition of, or title to, property shall be concerned to see whether the conditions have been fulfilled and the provisions of Part IV shall apply to any transactions of the type referred to in sections 52 to 54 notwithstanding that such conditions have not been fulfilled. (8) In this section “treasury shares” are shares which on redemption, purchase, acquisition or forfeiture are available for reissue by the company, unless the company by alteration of its memorandum and articles cancels or re-issues such shares.
231. (1) A director of a company stands in a fiduciary
relationship towards the company and shall observe the utmost good faith towards the company in any transaction with it or on its behalf. (2) A director shall act at all times in what he believes to be the best interests of the company as a whole so as to preserve its assets, further its business, and promote the purposes for which it was formed. (3) In considering whether a particular transaction or course of action is in the best interests of the company as a whole a director may have regard to the interests of the employees, as well as the members, of the company, and, when appointed by, or as representative of, a special class of members, employees, or creditors may give special, but not exclusive, consideration to the interests of that class. (4) No provision, whether contained in the articles of a company, or in any contract, or in any resolution of a company shall relieve any director from the duty to act in accordance with this
section or relieve him from any liability incurred as a result of any
breach thereof.
(5) A director shall exercise his powers for the purpose for which they are specified and shall not do so for a collateral purpose; and the power, if exercised for the right purposes does not constitute a breach of duty, if it incidentally affects a member adversely. (6) Any duty imposed on a director under this section shall be enforceable against the director by the company.
232. (1) Every director of a company shall exercise the powers
and discharge the duties of his office honestly, in good faith and in the best interests of the company, and shall exercise that degree of care, diligence and skill which a reasonably prudent director would exercise in comparable circumstances. (2) Failure to take reasonable care in accordance with this Act shall ground an action for negligence and breach of duty. Duties of directors. Duty of care and skill. 170 171

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (3) Each director shall be individually responsible for the actions of the board in which he participated, and his absence from the board’s deliberations, unless justified, shall not relieve a director of such responsibility. (4) The same standard of care in relation to the director’s duties to the company shall be required for both executive and nonexecutive directors; but additional liability and benefit may arise under the master and servant law in the case of an executive director if there is an express or implied contract to that effect.
233. (1) Directors are trustees of the company’s moneys,
properties and powers and as such shall- (a) account for all the moneys over which they exercise control; (b) refund any moneys improperly paid away; (c) exercise their powers honestly in the interest of the company and all the shareholders, and not in their own or sectional interests. (2) A director may, when acting within his authority and the powers of the company be regarded as an agent of the company under this Act.
234. Directors shall not, without the approval of a special
resolution of the company, exceed the powers conferred upon them by this Act and the company’s articles or exercise such powers for a purpose different from that for which such powers were conferred notwithstanding that they may believe such exercise to be in the best interest of the company.
235. (1) Notwithstanding any provision in the company’s
articles, a director shall not, without the consent of the company place himself in a position in which his duty to the company conflicts or may conflict with his personal interests or his duties to other persons, and in particular, without such consent a director shall not- (a) use for his own advantage any money or property of the company or any confidential information or special knowledge obtained by him in his capacity as director; (b) be interested directly or indirectly, otherwise than merely as a shareholder or debenture holder in a public company, in any business which competes with that of the company; (c) be personally interested, directly or indirectly, in any contract or other transaction entered into by the company except as provided for by this Act. (2) A director shall not, in the course of the management of the company or in the utilisation of the company’s property, make any secret profit or gain or other unauthorised benefits. (3) A director shall be accountable to the company for any secret profit or any other unauthorised benefits derived by him contrary to subsection (2). (4) The inability or unwillingness of the company to perform any functions or duties under its articles and memorandum shall not constitute a defence to any breach of duty of a director under this Act. (5) The duty not to use confidential information shall not cease where a director or an officer has resigned from the company, and he shall still be accountable and can be restrained by an injunction from misusing the information received by virtue of his previous position. Directors as trustees and agents of company. Exercise of directors’ power. Conflict of duty and interest. 172 173

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009
236. (1) For the purposes of section 235, the company shall
not be deemed to have consented unless after full disclosure of extent of any interest of the directors, the transaction concerned shall have been specifically authorised by the company either by a resolution which shall have been supported by all the members of the company entitled to attend and vote at a general meeting or by a special resolution at a general meeting at which neither the director concerned nor the holders of any shares in which he is beneficially interested, either directly or indirectly, shall have voted as members on such resolution. (2) Consent in accordance with subsection (1) shall be given before the occurrence of the transaction to which it relates; and a resolution of the company ratifying a transaction or series of related transactions which has already taken place shall not be effective for the purposes of subsection (1) unless it was passed not later than 15 months after the date when the transaction or first of such transactions took place.
237. (1) If a director of a company, having acquired as a director
any special information which may substantially affect the value of the shares or debentures of the company or any associated company, buys or sells such shares without disclosing such information to the seller or or purchaser thereof, the purchase or sale shall be voidable at the option of the seller or purchaser within 12 months after the agreement to sell or buy. (2) For the purposes of this section, any shares or debentures bought or sold shall be deemed to have been bought or sold by a director if his interest in the shares is such as to require recording in relation to him in the register to be maintained under this Act, unless it is proved that the sale or purchase was not made by him or on his instruction or advice or on the instructions or advice of any other person to whom he had imparted any special information affecting the value of the shares or debentures obtained by him in his capacity as director (3) This section shall not prejudice the right of the company to proceed against any director for breach of section 235.
238. (1) Unless otherwise provided in the company’s articles,
a director, notwithstanding section 235, shall be entitled to enter into a contract with the company and, subject to compliance with section 231 and subsections (2) to (7), such contract or any other contract by the company in which any director is in any way interested shall not be liable to be avoided nor shall any director be liable to account for any profit made thereby by reason of such director holding that office or of the fiduciary relationship thereby established. (2) Every director who is in any way, whether directly or indirectly, materially interested in any contract or proposed contract entered into or to be entered into by or on behalf of the company shall declare the nature and extent of his interest at a meeting of the directors of the company. (3) In the case of a proposed contract the “declaration” required by this section to be made by a director shall be made at the meeting of the directors at which the question of entering into the contract is first taken into consideration or, if the director was not at the date of that meeting interested in the proposed contract, at the next meeting after he became so interested; and in a case where the director becomes interested in a contract after it is made the declaration shall be made at the first meeting of the directors held after the director becomes so interested. (4) For the purposes of this section, a general notice in writing given to the directors of the company by a director to the effect that he is a member of a specified company or firm and is to be regarded as interested in any contract which may, after the date of the notice, be made with that company or firm, shall be deemed to be a sufficient declaration of interest in relation to any contract or proposed contract so made or to be made– (a) if there is stated in the notice the nature and extent of the interest of the director in such company or firm; Contracts in which directors are interested. Consent of companies. Duties of directors in connection with sales. 174 175

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (b) if at the time the question of confirming or entering into the contract is first taken into consideration the extent of his interest in such company or firm is not greater than is stated in the notice; (c) no general notice shall be of any effect unless it is given at a meeting of the directors or the director giving the notice takes all reasonable steps to ensure that it is brought up and read at the next meeting of directors after it is given; (d) such general notice shall not be effective for more than twelve months but may from time to time be renewed. (5) A director of the company shall not enter into any contract on its behalf in which he or, to his knowledge, any director of the company or any associated company is in any way materially interested, whether directly or indirectly, until a resolution has been passed by the directors approving it. (6) In the case of any proposed contract in which the officer is himself interested he shall, prior to the passing of the approving resolution, declare the nature and extent of his interest in the contract at a meeting of directors or by written notice given to the director or such other director. (7) A director shall not vote in respect of any contract or arrangement in which he is materially interested and if he does so his vote shall not be counted, nor shall he be counted in the quorum required for that business; but neither of these prohibitions shall apply to– (a) any arrangement for giving any director any security and indemnity in respect of money lent by him to or obligations undertaken by him for the benefit of the company; (b) any arrangement for the giving by the company of any security to a third party in respect of a debt or obligation of the company for which the director himself has assumed responsibility in whole or in part under a guarantee or indemnity or by the deposit of a security; or (c) any contract by a director to subscribe for or underwrite shares or debentures of the company. (8) A copy of every declaration made and notice given in pursuance of this section shall, within three days after the making or giving, be entered in a book kept for this purpose. (9) The book shall be open for inspection without charge by any director, secretary, auditor or member of the company at the registered office of the company and shall be produced at every general meeting of the company and at any meeting of the directors if any director so requests in sufficient time to enable the book to be available at the meeting. (10) Any director or officer who fails to comply with any of the provisions of this section shall be guilty of an offence and be liable to a fine not exceeding Le5,000,000 (11) If a company fails to comply with subsections (8) and (9), the company and every officer of the company who is in default shall be guilty of an offence and be liable to a fine not exceeding Le3,000,000 and if any inspection or production required is
refused, the court may by order compel an immediate inspection or production. (12) For the purposes of this section, an interest merely as holder of debentures, or of not more than 2 per cent of the shares or any class of shares, of a public company shall not be deemed to be a material interest. 176 177

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009
239. Unless otherwise provided in the company’s articles, any
director may, notwithstanding section 235, act by himself or his firm in a professional capacity for the company except as auditor and he or his firm shall be entitled to proper remuneration for professional services as if he were not a director.
240. If a director commits any breach of his duties under sections
233, 234 and 235–
(a) the director and any other person who knowingly participated in the breach shall be liable to compensate the company for any loss it suffers as a result of the breach; (b) the director shall account to the company for any profit made by him as a result of the breach; and (c) any contract or other transaction entered into between the director and the company in breach of the duties may be rescinded by the company.
241. (1) Proceedings to enforce the liabilities referred to in
section 246 to restrain a threatened breach of any duty under sections
234 and 235 or to recover from any director of the company property of the company may be instituted by the company or any member of the company. (2) Proceedings may be instituted by the company on the authority of the board of directors or of any receiver and manager or liquidator of the company, or of an ordinary resolution of the company which shall either have been agreed to by all the members of the company entitled to attend and vote at a general meeting or have been passed at a general meeting. (3) After an investigation of the affairs of the company, proceedings may also be instituted in the name of the company by the Commission. (4) Where proceedings are instituted by a member he shall sue in a representative capacity on behalf of himself and all other members, except any members that are defendants to the action, and shall join the company as a defendant. (5) The court, on the application of any defendant, may stay proceedings by such member if satisfied that, in all the circumstances, including his participation in the transaction complained of and the circumstances in which he became a member, it is inequitable that he should be allowed to have the conduct of the action and may, if it thinks fit order such member to give security for payment of the costs of the defendants and may direct that the action or any part of it shall be heard in chambers. (6) No period of limitation shall apply to any proceedings under this section, but in such proceedings the court may relieve a director from liability in whole or in part and on such terms as it thinks fit if, in all the circumstances including lapse of time, the court thinks it equitable to do so. (7) In any proceedings under this section, the court shall have power when justice so requires, to order that any moneys found to be payable by any defendant shall be restored, in whole or in part, to members or former members of the company instead of to the company itself; and in that event the court may order that the necessary enquiries shall be made to ascertain the identity of the members and former members concerned and may give such consequential directions as may be necessary or expedient. (8) No proceedings under this section shall be dismissed, settled or compromised without the approval of the court after notice of the proposed dismissal, settlement or compromise has been given to all members of the company and to the Commission in such manner as the court directs. (9) Within the time prescribed by such notice any member of the company and the Commission may appear and call the attention of the court to any matters which seem relevant and may give evidence and call witnesses. Directors acting professionally. Civil liabilities for breach of duty. Legal liabilities for breach of duty. 178 179

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (10) If the court does not approve the dismissal or compromise, it may give the conduct of the action to any member willing to continue it, or to the Commission in the name of the company, making such consequential orders regarding the parties to the action or otherwise as may be necessary or expedient. Miscellaneous matters relating to directors
242. The fact that a person holds more than one directorship
shall not derogate from his fiduciary duties to each company, including the duty not to use property, opportunity or information obtained in the course of the management of one company for the benefit of the other company or to his or other person’s advantage.
243. (1) In a limited company, the liability of the directors or
managers or of the managing director, may, if so provided by the memorandum be unlimited. (2) In a limited company in which the liability of a director or manager is unlimited, the directors and any managers of the company and the member who proposes a person for election or appointment to the office of director or manager, shall add to the proposal a statement that the liability of the person holding that office shall be unlimited, and before the person accepts the office or acts therein, notice in writing that his liability shall be unlimited shall be given to him by the following or one of the following persons, namely, the promoters, directors, managers and the secretary of the company. (3) If any director, manager or promoter defaults in adding such a statement, or if any promoter, director, manager or secretary fails to give such notice, he shall be guilty of an offence and be liable to a fine not exceeding Le.3,000,000 and shall also be liable for any damage which the person so elected or appointed may sustain from the default.
244. (1) A limited company, if so authorised by its articles,
may, by special resolution, alter its memorandum so as to render unlimited the liability of its directors, managers, or of any managing director. (2) Upon the passing of the special resolution, and notwithstanding the terms of any contract between a director and the company, the director may resign his office as director and in the event that a director resigns, he shall not be affected by the passing of the special resolution. (3) The passing of the special resolution and any consequent resignation of a director shall not prejudice any existing rights which the director may otherwise have for breach of any contract of service with the company
245. (1) Subject to this section, the directors of a company
shall, on demand made to them in writing by members of the company entitled to not less than one-fourth of the aggregate number of votes, furnish to all the members of the company within one month of receipt of the demand, a statement certified as correct or with such qualifications as may be necessary by the auditors of the company, showing for each of the last three years in respect of which the accounts of the company have been made up, the aggregate amount received in that year as remuneration or other emoluments by directors of the company, whether as directors or otherwise, in respect of the management of the company. (2) There shall, in respect of any director of the company who is- (a) a director of a subsidiary company of the company referred to in subsection (1); or (b) by virtue of the nomination, whether direct or indirect, of the company a director of any other company, be included in the said aggregate amount any remuneration or other emoluments received by him whether as a director of or otherwise in relation to the management of the other company. (3) A demand for a statement under subsection (1) shall be of no effect if the company, within one month after the date on which the demand is made resolves that the statement is not to be furnished. Directors with unlimited liability in respect of limited company Multiple directors. Special resolution of limited company making liability of directors unlimited. Statement on remuneration of directors to be furnished to shareholders. 180 181

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (4) Pursuant to subsection (1), it shall be sufficient to state the total aggregate of all moneys paid to or other emoluments received by all the directors in each year without specifying the amount received by any individual. (5) Any director who fails to comply with subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence and be liable to a fine not exceeding Le5,000,000. (6) In this section “emoluments” includes fees, percentages and other payments made or consideration given, directly or indirectly, to a director as such, and the money value of any allowances or perquisites belonging to his office.
246. Subject to this section, any provision, whether contained
in the articles of a company or in any contract with a company or otherwise, for exempting any director, manager or officer of the company, or any person (whether an officer of the company or not) employed by the company as auditor from, or indemnifying him against, any liability which by virtue of any rule of law would otherwise attach to him in respect of any negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust of which he maybe guilty in relation to the company shall be void; and– (a) in relation to a provision which is in force on the commencement of this Act, this section shall have effect only on the expiration of a period of 6 months from that date; (b) nothing in this section shall operate to deprive any person of any exemption or right to be indemnified in respect of anything done or omitted to be done by him while such provision was in force; and (c) notwithstanding anything in this section, a company may, in pursuance of such provision, indemnify such director, manager, officer or auditor against any liability incurred by him in defending any proceedings, whether civil or criminal, in which judgement is given in his favour or in which he is acquitted or in connection with any application under section 515 in which relief is granted to him by the court.
247. (1) Every company shall keep at its registered office, a
register of its directors and secretaries.
(2) The register shall contain the following particulars with respect to each director:– (a) his present forename and surname; (b) any former forename and surname; (c) his usual residential address; (d) his nationality; (e) his business or occupation, if any; (f) particulars of any other directorships held by him; and (g) the date of his birth. (3) The register shall contain the following particulars with respect to the secretary:– (a) in the case of an individual– (i) his present forename and surname; (ii) any former forenames and surnames; and Register of directors and secretaries. Provision as to liability of officers and auditors. 182 183

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (iii) his usual residential address; and (b) in the case of a corporation its registered name and registered or head office. (4) The company shall, within the periods respectively mentioned in subsection (5), send to the Commission a return containing the particulars specified in the register and notification of any change among its directors or in its secretary or in any of the particulars contained in the register, specifying the date of the change. (5) The periods referred to in subsection (4) shall be the period within which– (a) a return is to be sent which shall be a period of 14 days from the date of incorporation of the company; and (b) the notification of a change is to be sent 14 days from the happening thereof; but in the case of a return containing particulars with respect to any person who is the company’s secretary at the commencement of this Act, the period shall be 14 days from the commencement of this Act. (6) The register to be kept under this section shall, during business hours (subject to such reasonable restrictions as the company may by its articles or in general meeting impose, so that no less than two hours in each day be allowed for inspection) be open to inspection by any member of the company without charge and by another person on payment of such sum as the company may determine, for each inspection. (7) If any inspection required under this section is refused, or if default is made in complying with subsections (1), (2), and (4), the company and every officer of the company who is default shall be guilty of an offence and be liable to a fine not exceeding Le3,000,000 (9) In case of any refusal or default, the court may by order compel an inspection of the register or that the copies required be sent as provided in this section. (10) For the purpose of this section– (a) a person in accordance with whose directions or instruction the directors of a company are accustomed to act shall be deemed to be a director and officer of the company; and (b) references to a former forename or surname in the case of a married woman shall not include the name or surname by which she was known previous to the marriage.
248. (1) Every company shall keep a register showing as
respects each director of the company (not being its holding company) the number, description and amount of any shares in or debentures of the company or any other body corporate, being the company’s subsidiary or holding company, or a subsidiary of the company’s holding company, which are held by or in trust for him or of which he has any right to become the holder (whether on payment or not); but the register need not include shares in any body corporate which is the wholly-owned subsidiary of another body corporate, and for this purpose, a body corporate shall be deemed to be the wholly-owned subsidiary of another if it has no member but that other and that other’s wholly-owned subsidiaries and its or their nominees. (2) Where any shares or debentures fall to be or cease to be recorded in the register in relation to any director by reason of a transaction entered into after the commencement of this Act, and while he is a director, the register shall also show the date of, and price or other consideration for transaction that where there is an interval between the agreement for such transaction and the completion thereof, the date shown shall be that of the agreement. Register of directors’ holdings. 184 185

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (3) The nature and extent of a director’s interest or right in or over any shares or debentures recorded in relation to him in the register shall, if he so requires, be indicated in the register. (4) The company shall not by virtue of anything done for the purposes, be affected with notice of, or put upon inquiry as to the rights of any person in relation to any shares or debentures. (5) The register shall, subject to the provisions, be kept at the company’s registered or head office and shall be open to inspection during business hours (subject to such reasonable restrictions as the company may by its articles or in general meeting impose, so that not less than two hours in each day be allowed for inspection) as follows:– (a) during the period beginning 14 days before the date of the company’s annual general meeting and ending 3 days after the date of its conclusion, it shall be open to the inspection of any member or holder of debentures of the company; and (b) during that or any other period, it shall be open to the inspection of any person acting on behalf of the Commission. (6) In computing the 14 days and the 3 days mentioned in subsection (5) any day which is a Saturday or Sunday or a public holiday shall be disregarded. (7) Without prejudice to the rights conferred by subsection (5), the Commission may at anytime, request for the production to it of a copy of the register, or any part thereof. (8) The register shall also be produced at the commencement of the company’s annual general meeting and remain open and accessible during the continuance of the meeting to any person attending the meeting. (9) If default is made in complying with subsection (1) or (2), or if any inspection required under this section is refused, or any copy required under it is not sent within a reasonable time, the company and every officer of the company who is in default shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding Le3,000,000, and if default is made in complying with subsection (8), the company and every officer of the company who is in default shall be liable to a fine not exceeding Le3,000,000. (10) If any inspection required under this section is refused, the court may, by order, compel an immediate inspection of the register. (11) For the purposes of this section– (a) any person in accordance with whose directions or instructions the directors of a company are accustomed to act shall be deemed to be a director of the company; and (b) a director of a company shall be deemed to hold or to have an interest or right in or over, any share or debenture if a permanent representative of the body corporate other than the company holds them or has that interest or right in or over them, and either– (i) that permanent representative is accustomed to act in accordance with the directions or instructions; or (ii) he is entitled to exercise or control of one third or more of the voting power at any
general meeting of that body corporate Secretaries
249. (1) Every company shall have a secretary. Secretaries.
186 187

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (2) Anything required or authorised to be done by or to the secretary may, if the office is vacant or there is for any other reason no secretary, be done by or to any assistant or deputy secretary; or, if there is no assistant or deputy secretary capable of acting, by or to any officer of the company authorised generally or specially in that behalf by the directors. (3) If any company carries on business for more than 6 months without a secretary the company and every officer of the company who is in default shall be liable to a fine of Le500,000 for each day that the company continues to carry on business without a secretary after the expiration of the period.
250. A provision requiring or authorising a thing to be done by
or to a director and the secretary shall not be satisfied by its being done by or to the same person acting both as director and as, or in place of the secretary.
251. (1) It shall be the duty of directors of a company to take all
reasonable steps to ensure that the secretary of the company is a person who appears to them to have the requisite knowledge and experience to discharge the functions of a secretary of a company, and in the case of a public company, he shall be– (a) a member of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators; (b) a legal practitioner within the meaning of the Legal Practitioners Act, 2000; (c) a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sierra Leone or such other bodies of accountants as are established from time to time by an enactment; or (d) a body corporate or firm consisting of members any one of whom is qualified under paragraphs (a), (b) or (c). (2) In the case of paragraph (d) of subsection(1), the body corporate or firm shall designate a person or persons to carry out the duties of secretary and such person or persons shall be qualified under paragraphs (a) (b) or (c).
252. (1) Unless otherwise provided in the articles a secretary
shall be appointed by the directors and, subject to the provisions of this section, may be summarily dismissed by them. (2) Where it is intended to summarily dismiss the secretary of a public company, the board of directors shall give him notice– (a) stating that it is intended to dismiss him; (b) setting out the grounds on which it is intended to summarily dismiss him; and (c) giving him a period not less than 7 working days within which to make his defence.
253. A secretary shall not owe fiduciary duties to the company,
but where he is acting as its agent he shall owe fiduciary duties to it, and as such shall be liable to the company where he makes secret profits or derives other unauthorised benefits or lets his duties conflict with his personal interests, or uses confidential information he obtains from the company for his own benefit.
254. (1) The duties of a secretary shall include the following:–
(a) attending the meeting of the company, the board of directors and its committees, rendering all necessary secretarial services in respect of the meeting and advising on compliance by the meeting with the applicable rules and regulations; Qualification of secretary. Appointment and summary dismissal of secretary. Act No. 15 of 2000 Avoidance of acts done by person as director and secretary. Fiduciary interests of secretary. Duties of secretary. 188 189

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (b) maintaining the registers and other records required to be maintained by the company under this Act; (c) rendering proper returns and giving notification to the Commission as required under this Act; and (d) carrying out such administrative and other secretarial duties as directed by the board of directors, or the company. (2) The secretary shall not, without the authority of the board of directors, exercise any powers vested in the board of directors.
PART X I–PROTECTION OF MINORITY AGAINST ILLEGAL
AND OPPRESSIVE CONDUCT
Action by or against company
255. Subject to this Act, where any irregularity has been
committed in the course of a company’s affairs or any wrong has been done to the company only the company can sue to remedy that wrong and only the company can ratify the irregular conduct.
256. (1) Without prejudice to the rights of members, the court
may on the application of any member, by injunction or declaration, restrain the company from the following:– (a) entering into any transaction which is illegal or ultra-vires; (b) purporting to do by ordinary resolution any act which by its memorandum or articles require to be done by special resolution; (c) any act affecting the applicant’s individual rights as a member; (d) committing fraud on either the company or the minority shareholders where the directors fail to take appropriate action to redress the wrong done; (e) where a meeting of the company cannot be called in time to be of practical use redressing a wrong done to the company or to minority shareholders; (f) where the directors are likely to derive a profit or benefit or have profited or benefited from their negligence or breach of duty but– (i) nothing in this section shall derogate from the protection afforded by any provision of this Act to any person dealing with the company; (ii) in relation to acts beyond the capacity or power of the company, the company shall be liable for such acts in accordance with this Act; (iii) the right afforded to a member to apply to the court under this section shall be without prejudice to any right he may have to institute proceedings against any director of the company under this
section.
(2) In any proceedings by a member under this section, the Court may, if it thinks fit, order that the member give security for the costs of the company and may direct that the application shall be heard in chambers. (3) Where any member institutes an action under this
section, the court may award costs to him personally whether or not
his action succeeds.
Only company may sue for wrong or ratify irregular conduct. Injunction or declaration in the event of illegal or irregular activity. 190 191

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009
257. For purposes of section 256 “member” includes–
(a) the personal representative of a deceased member; and (b) any person to whom shares have been transferred or transmitted by operation of law.
258. (1) Subject to subsection (2), an applicant may apply to
the court for leave to bring an action in the name or on behalf of a company, or to intervene in an action to which the company is a party for the purpose of prosecuting, defending or discontinuing the action on behalf of the company. (2) No action may be brought and no intervention may be made under subsection (1), unless the court is satisfied that– (a) the wrongdoers are the directors who are in control, and will not take necessary action; (b) the applicant has given reasonable notice to the directors of the company of his intention to apply to the court under subsection (1) if the directors of the company do not with due diligence bring, prosecute, defend or discontinue the action; (c) the applicant is acting in good faith; and (d) it appears to be in the best interest of the company that the action be brought, prosecuted, defended or discontinued.
259. (1) In connection with an action brought or intervened
under section 258, the court may at any time make such order or orders, as it thinks fit. (2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), the court may make one or more of the following orders, that is an order– (a) authorising the applicant or any other person to control the conduct of the action; (b) giving directions for the conduct of the action; (c) directing that any amount adjudged payable by a defendant in the action shall be paid, in whole or in part, directly to former and present security holders of the company instead of to the company; (d) requiring the company to pay reasonable legal fees incurred by the applicant in connection with the proceedings.
260. An application made or an action brought or intervened in
under section 258 shall not be stayed or dismissed by reason only that it is shown that an alleged breach of a duty owed to the company has been or may be approved by the shareholders of such company, but evidence of approval by the shareholders may be taken into account by the court in making an order under section 259.
261. An application made or an action brought or intervened in
under section 258 shall not be stayed, discontinued, settled or dismissed for want of prosecution without the approval of the court given upon such terms as the court thinks fit; and if the court determines that the rights of any applicant may be substantially affected by such stay, discontinuance, settlement or dismissal, the court may order any party to the application or action to give notice to the applicant.
262. An applicant shall not be required to give security for costs
in any application made or action brought or intervened in under
section 258 .
263. In an application made or action brought or intervened in
under section 258, the court may at any time order the company to pay to the applicant ‘interim costs before the final disposition of the application or action. Definition of members. Commencing derivative action. Powers of court. Evidence of share-holdrs’s approval not conclusives Court’s approval to discontinue. No secirity for costs. Interim costs. 192 193

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009
264. In sections 258 and 259 “applicant” means–
(a) a registered holder or a beneficial owner and a former registered holder or beneficial owner, of a security of a company; (b) a director or an officer or a former director or officer of a company; (c) the Commission; or (d) any other person who, in the discretion of the court, is a proper person to make an application under section 258. Relief on the grounds of unfairly prejudicial and oppressive conduct
265. (1) An application to the court by petition for an order
under section 263 in relation to a company may be made by a member of the company, the Commission or any other person approved by the court. (2) In this section and section 266 “member” includes– (a) the personal representative of a deceased member; and (b) any person to whom shares have been transferred or transmitted by operation of law.
266. (1) An application for relief on the ground that the affairs
of a company are being conducted in an illegal or oppressive manner may be made to the court by petition. (2) An application to the court by petition for an order under this section in relation to a company may be made– (a) by a member of the company who alleges– (i) that the affairs of the company are being conducted in a manner that is oppressive or unfairly prejudicial to, or unfairly discriminatory against, a member or members, or in a manner that is in disregard of the interests of a member or the members as a whole; (ii) that an act or omission or proposed act or omission, by or on behalf of the company or a resolution or a proposed resolution of a class of members, was or would be oppressive or unfairly prejudicial to, or unfairly discriminatory against, a member or members or was or would be in a manner which is in disregard of the interests of a member or the members as a whole; or (b) by the Commission in a case where it appears to it in the exercise of its powers under this Act or any other enactment that– (i) the affairs of the company are being conducted in a manner that is oppressive or unfairly prejudicial to, or unfairly discriminatory against a member or members or in a manner which is in disregard of the public interest; or (ii) any actual or proposed act or omission of the company (including an act or omission on its behalf) which was or would be oppressive, or unfairly prejudicial to, or unfairly discriminatory against a member or members in a manner which is in disregard of the public interests. Definition of applicant. Application Grounds of application. 194 195

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009
267. (1) If the court is satisfied that a petition under sections
265 and 266 is well founded, it may make such order or orders as it thinks fit for giving relief in respect of the matter complained of. (2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), the court may make one or more of the following orders that is, an order:– (a) for regulating the conduct of the affairs of the company in future; (b) for the purchase of the shares of any member by other members of the company; (c) for the purchase of the shares of any member by the company and for the reduction accordingly of the company’s capital; (d) directing the company to institute, prosecute, defend or discontinue specific proceedings, or authorising a member or members of the company to institute, prosecute, defend or discontinue specific proceedings in the name or on behalf of the company; (e) varying or setting aside a transaction or contract to which the company is a party and compensating the company or any other party to the transaction or contract; (f) directing an investigation to be made by the Commission; (g) appointing a receiver or a receiver and manager of the property of the company; (h) restraining a person from engaging in a specific conduct or from doing a specific act or thing; (i) requiring a person to do a specific act or thing. (3) Where an order under this section makes any alteration or addition to the memorandum or articles of a company, then, notwithstanding anything in any other provision of this Act but subject to the provisions of the order, the company shall not have power, without the leave of the court, to make any further alteration or addition to the memorandum and articles inconsistent with the provisions of the order but, subject to this subsection, the alteration or addition shall have effect as if it had been duly made by a resolution of the company. (4) On any application under this section by a member of a company or the Commission, the court may if it thinks fit, order the applicant to give security for the costs of the company and may, direct that the application be heard in chambers. Investigation of companies and their affairs
268. (1) The court may appoint one or more competent
inspectors to investigate the affairs of a company and to report thereon in such manner as shall be directed– (a) in the case of a company having a share capital on the application of members holding not less than one quarter of the shares issued; (b) in the case of a company not having a share capital, on the application of not less than one-quarter of the persons on the company’s register of members; and (c) in any other case, on the application of the company. (2) The court may make such an appointment if it appears to it that there are circumstances suggesting that– Investigation of affairs of company by inspecors. 196 197 Powers of court to grant relief.

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (a) the company’s affairs are being or have been conducted with intent to defraud its creditors or the creditors of any other person, or in a manner which is unfairly prejudicial to some
part of its members;
(b) any actual or proposed act or omission of the company (including an act or omission on its behalf) is or would be so prejudicial, or that the company was formed for any fraudulent or unlawful purpose; (c) persons concerned with the company’s formation or the management of its affairs have in connection therewith been guilty of fraud, misfeasance or other misconduct towards it or towards its members; (d) the company’s members have not been given all the information with respect to its affairs which they might reasonably expect; or (e) there are any other reasons for appointing the inspectors than in paragraphs (a), (b), (c), and (d) .
269. (1) Where an inspector appointed under section 268 to
investigate the affairs of a company thinks it necessary, for the purposes of his investigation to also investigate the affairs of another body corporate which is or at any relevant time has been the company’s subsidiary or holding company or a subsidiary of its holding company or a holding company of its subsidiary, he shall report on the affairs of the other body corporate so far as he thinks that the results of his investigation of its affairs are relevant to the investigation of the affairs of the company first mentioned. (2) An inspector appointed under section 268 may at any time in the course of his investigation, without the necessity of making an interim report, inform the court and the Commission of matters coming to his knowledge as a result of the investigation tending to show that an offence has been committed.
270. (1) When an inspector is appointed under section 268, it
shall be the duty of all officers and agents of the company, and of all officers and agents of any other body corporate whose affairs are being investigated under section 268– (a) to produce to the inspector all books and documents of or relating to the company or, as the case may be, the other body corporate which are in their custody or power; (b) to attend before the inspector when required to do so; and (c ) otherwise to give the inspector all assistance in connection with the investigation which he is reasonably able to give. (2) If the inspector considers that a person other than an officer or agent of the company or other body corporate is or may be in possession of information concerning its affairs, he may require that person to produce to him any books or documents in his custody or power relating to the company or other body corporate, and to attend before him otherwise to give him all assistance in connection with the investigation which he is reasonably able to give; and it is that person’s duty to comply with the requirement. (3) An inspector may examine on oath the officers and agents of the company or other body corporate, and such person as is mentioned in subsection (2) in relation to the affairs of the company or other body, and administer an oath accordingly. Inspector’s powers during investigation. Production of documents and evidence to inspectors. 198 199

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (4) In this section, a reference to officers or to agents includes past, as well as present, officers or agents and “agents” in relation to a company or other body corporate, includes its bankers and persons employed by it as auditors, whether these persons are or are not officers of the company or other body corporate. (5) An answer given by a person to a question put to him in the exercise of powers conferred by this section (whether it has effect in relation to an investigation under section 268 as applied by any other section in this Act) may be used in evidence against him. (6) If any officer or agent of a company or body corporate– (a) refuses to produce to the inspectors any book or document which it is his duty to produce; or (b) refuses to answer any question which is put to him by the inspectors with respect to the affairs of the company or body corporate, the inspectors may certify the refusal under his hand to the court and it may then enquire into the case; and after hearing any witnesses who may be produced against or on behalf of the alleged offender or hearing any statement which may be offered in defence, the court may punish the offender in the same manner as if he had been guilty of contempt of the court
271. (1) If an inspector has reasonable grounds for believing
that a director, or past director or other officer of the company or other body corporate whose affairs he is investigating maintains or has maintained a bank account of any description (whether alone or jointly with another person and whether in Sierra Leone or elsewhere), into or out of which there has been paid– (a) the emoluments or part of the emoluments of his office as such director particulars of which have not been disclosed in the financial statements of the company or other body corporate for any financial year, contrary to this Act (in relation to particulars in accounts of directors); (b) any money which has resulted from or been used in the financing of an undisclosed transaction, arrangement or agreement; or (c) any money which has been in any way connected with an act or omission or series of acts or omissions which on the part of that director constituted misconduct (whether fraudulent or not) towards the company or body corporate or its members, the inspector may require the director to produce to him all documents in the director’s possession, or under his control, relating to that bank account.
272. (1) On the conclusion of the investigation, the inspectors
shall submit their report to the court.
(2) A copy of the report referred to in subsection (1) shall be forwarded by the court to the Commission and the registered office of the company, and a further copy shall at the request of the applicants for the investigation, be delivered to them. (3) In any case, the court may, if it thinks fit– (a) furnish a copy of the report on request and on payment of the prescribed fee to– (i) any member of the company or other body corporate which is the subject of the report; Powers of inspector to call for dirctors’ bank accounts. Inspectors’ report. 200 201

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (ii) any person whose conduct is referred to in the report; (iii) the auditors of that company or body corporate; or (iv) any other person whose financial interests appear to the court to be affected by the matters dealt with in the report, whether as creditors of the company or body corporate, or otherwise; and (b) cause such report to be printed and published.
273. (1) If, from any report made under section 272, it appears
to the Commission, that any civil proceedings ought in the public interest to be brought by the company or the applicant, the Commission may itself bring such proceedings in the name of the company or the applicant . (2) The Commission shall indemnify the company or applicant against any costs or expenses incurred by it or him in or in connection with proceedings brought under this section; and any cost or expenses so incurred shall be, if not otherwise recoverable defrayed out of the Consolidated Fund.
274. (1) If, from any report made under section 272, it appears
to the court, the company, a member of the company or the applicant that any person has been guilty of any offence in relation to the company for which he is liable the court, company, member or applicant shall refer the matter to the Attorney General. (2) If, where any matter is referred to the Attorney General under this section he considers that– (a) the case is one in which a prosecution ought to be instituted and; (b) it is desirable in the public interest that the prosecution should be conducted by him, he shall institute proceedings accordingly, and it shall be the duty of all officers and agents of the company, past and present (other than the defendant in the proceedings), to give to him all assistance in connection with the prosecution which they are reasonably able to give. (3) The expenses of and incidental to an investigation under section 268 shall be defrayed as follows:– (a) where as a result of the investigation a prosecution is instituted by the AttorneyGeneral, the expenses shall be defrayed by the Accountant General; (b) in any other case the expenses shall be defrayed by the company unless the court directs that they shall either be paid by the applicants or in part by the company and in
part by the applicants.
275. A copy of the report of any inspector appointed under this
Part, authenticated by the seal of the company or body corporate
whose affairs they have investigated, shall be admissible in any legal proceedings as evidence of the opinion of the inspectors in relation to any matter contained in the report.
276. (1) Where it appears to the Commission, that there is
good reason to do so, it may appoint one or more competent inspectors to investigate and report on the membership of any company and otherwise with respect to the company for the purpose of determining the true persons who are or have been financially interested in the success or failure of the company or able to control or materially to influence the policy of thecompany. Criminal proceedings on report by inspector. Power to bring civil proceedings. Inspector’s report to be used as evidence in legal proceedings. Appointment, etc. of inspectors to investigate ownership of company. 202 203

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (2) The appointment of an inspector under this section may define the scope of his investigation, with regard to the matter or the period to which it is to extend or otherwise and in particular may limit his investigation to matters connected with particular shares or debentures. (3) Where an application for an investigation under this
section with respect to particular shares or debentures of a company
is made to the Commission by members of the company and the number of applicants or the amount of the shares held by them is not less than that required for an application for the appointment of an inspector under paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (1) of section 268– (a) the Commission shall appoint an inspector to conduct the investigation unless it is satisfied that the application is vexatious; and (b) the inspector’s appointment shall not exclude from the scope of his investigation any matter which the application seeks to include except in so far as the Commission is satisfied that it is reasonable for the matter to be investigated. (4) Subject to the terms of an inspector’s appointment, his powers shall extend to the investigation of any circumstances suggesting the existence of an arrangement or understanding which, though not legally binding, is or was observed or likely to be observed in practice and which is relevant to the purposes of his investigation.
277. (1) For the purposes of any investigation under section
276,sections 268 to 272 shall apply with the necessary modifications to references to the affairs of the company or to those of any body corporate, and– (a) the sections shall apply in relation to all persons– (i) who are or have been, or whom the inspector has reasonable cause to believe to be or have been, financially interested in the success or failure or the apparent success or failure of the company or other body corporate whose membership is investigated with that of the company; or (ii) who are able to control or materially to influence the policy thereof, including persons concerned only on behalf of others, as they apply in relation to officers and agents of the company or of the other body corporate, as the case may be; and (b) the Commission shall not be bound to furnish the company or any other person with a copy of any report by an inspector appointed under this section or with a complete copy of it if it is of the opinion that there is good reason for not divulging the contents of the report or of part of it, but shall keep a copy of the report, or, as the case may be, the parts of any report, as regards which it is not of that opinion. (2) The expenses of any investigation under section 276 shall be defrayed out of the funds of the Commission .
278. (1) Where it appears to the Commission, that there is
good reason to investigate the ownership of any shares in or debentures of a company and that it is necessary to appoint an inspector for the purpose, the Commission may require any person who it has reasonable cause to believe– (a) to be or to have been interested in those shares or debentures; or Provisions applicable to investigations. Power to require information as to persons intersted in shares, etc. 204 205

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (b) to act or to have acted in relation to those shares or debentures as a legal practitioner or an agent of some one interested in the shares or debentures, to give to the Commission any information which the person has or might reasonably be expected to obtain as to the present and past interest in those shares or debentures and the names and addresses of the persons interested, and of any persons who act or have acted on their behalf in relation to the shares or debentures. (2) For the purposes of this section, a person shall be deemed to have an interest in a share or debenture if– (a) he has any right to acquire or dispose of the shares or debentures or any interest in them or to vote in respect of them; (b) if his consent is necessary for the exercise of any of the rights of other persons interested in the shares or debentures; (c) if other persons interested in the shares or debentures can be required or are accustomed to exercise their rights in accordance with his instructions. (3) Any person who– (a) fails to give any information required of him under this section; (b) in giving such information makes any statement which he knows to be false in a material particular; or (c) recklessly makes any statement which is false in a material particular, shall be guilty of an offence and be liable to a fine not exceeding Le3,000,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both the fine and imprisonment.
279. (1) Where in connection with an investigation under
section 276 or 277 it appears to the Commission that there is difficulty
in finding out the facts about any share (whether issued or to be issued), and that the difficulty is due wholly or mainly to the unwillingness of the persons concerned or any of them to assist the investigation as required by this Act, the Commission may in writing direct that the shares shall, until further notice be subject to the restrictions imposed by this section. (2) So long as any shares are directed to be subject to the restrictions imposed by this section– (a) any transfer of those shares, or in case of unissued shares any transfer of the right to be issued therewith and any issued, shall be void; (b) no voting rights shall be exercisable in respect of those shares; (c) no further shares shall be issued in right of those shares or in pursuance of any offer made to the holder of those shares; (d) except in a liquidation, no payment shall be made of any sums due from the company on those shares, whether in respect of capital or otherwise. (3) Where the Commission directs shares to be subject to restrictions under this section, or refuses to direct that shares shall cease to be subject to restrictions, any person aggrieved thereby may appeal to the court, and the court may, if it sees fit, direct that the shares shall cease to be subject to the restrictions. Powers to impose restrictions on shares, etc. 206 207

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (4) Any direction or order of the court that shares shall cease to be subject to restrictions under this section, expressed to be made with a view to permitting a transfer of those shares may continue the restrictions mentioned in paragraphs (c) and (d) of subsection (2), either in whole or in part, so far as they relate to any right acquired or offer made before the transfer. (5) Any person who– (a) exercises or purports to exercise any right to dispose of any shares which, to his knowledge, are for the time being subject to restrictions under this section; (b) votes in respect of any shares, whether as holder or proxy, or appoints a proxy to vote in respect of such shares; (c) being the holder of such shares, fails to notify that they are subject to the restrictions, shall be guilty of an offence and be liable to a fine not exceeding Le8,000,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, or to both the fine and imprisonment. (6) Where shares in any company are issued in contravention of the restrictions, the company and every officer of the company who is in default shall be guilty of an offence and be liable to a fine not exceeding Le5,000,000 (7) This section shall apply in relation to debentures as it applies in relation to shares.
280. Nothing in this Part shall require disclosure to the courts
or the Commission or to an inspector appointed by it by– (a) a legal practitioner of any privileged communica tion made to him in that capacity, except as regards the name and address of his client; or (b) a company’s bankers as such, of any information as to the affairs of any of their customers other than the company.
PART XI I–FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND AUDIT
Accounting Records
281. (1) Every company shall cause accounting records to be
kept in accordance with this section.
(2) The accounting records shall be sufficient to show and explain the transactions of the company and shall be such as to– (a) disclose with reasonable accuracy, at any time, the financial position of the company; and (b) enable the directors to ensure that any financial statements prepared under this Part comply with the requirements of this Act as to the form and content of the company’s financial statements. (3) The accounting records shall, in particular, contain– (a) entries from day to day of all sums of money received and expended by the company, and the matters in respect of which the receipt and expenditure take place; and (b) a record of the assets and liabilities of the company; (4) If the business of the company involves dealing in goods, the accounting records shall contain– (a) statements of stocks held by the company at the end of each financial year of the company; Companies to keep accounting records. Savings for legal practitioners and bankers. 208 209

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (b) all statements of stocks from which such statement of stock as is mentioned in paragraph (a) of this subsection has been or is to be prepared; and (c) except in the case of goods sold by way of ordinary retail trade, statements of all goods sold and purchased, showing the goods and the buyers and sellers in sufficient detail to enable all these to be identified.
282. (1) The accounting records of a company shall be kept at
its registered office or such other place in Sierra Leone as the directors think fit, and shall at all times be open to inspection by the officers of the company. (2) Subject to any direction with respect to the disposal of records given under this Act accounting records which a company is required by section 281 to be kept shall be preserved by it for a period of 6 years from the date on which they were made.
283. (1) If a company fails to comply with any provision of
section 299 or 300, every officer of the company who is in default
shall be guilty of an offence unless he shows that he acted honestly and that in the circumstances in which the business of the company was carried on, the default was excusable. (2) An officer of a company shall be guilty of an offence if he fails to take all reasonable steps for securing compliance by the company with section 300 or has intentionally caused any default by the company under it. (3) A person guilty of an offence under this section, shall be liable to a fine not exceeding Le5,000,000. Company’s accounting reference periods and financial year
284. (1) A company’s accounting reference period shall be
determined according to its accounting reference date. (2) A company may give notice in the prescribed form to the Commission specifying a date in the calendar year as being the date on which in each successive calendar year an accounting reference period of the company is to be treated as coming to an end; and the date specified in the notice is then the company’s accounting reference date. (3) No notice shall have effect unless it is given before the end of 6 months beginning with the date of the commencement of business by a company and, failing such notice, the company’s accounting reference date shall be 31st March. (4) A company’s first accounting reference period is such period ending with its accounting reference date which begins on the date of its incorporation and is a period of more than 6 months and not more than 18 months; and each successive period of 12 months beginning after the end of the first accounting reference period and ending with the accounting reference date is also an accounting reference period of the company. (5) This section is subject to section 285, under which in certain circumstances a company may alter its accounting reference date and accounting reference periods.
285. (1) At any time during a period which is an accounting
reference of a company by virtue of section 284, the company may give notice in the prescribed form to the Commission specifying a date in the calendar year (the new accounting reference date) on which that accounting reference period (the current accounting reference period) and each subsequent accounting reference period of the company is to be treated as coming to an end or (as the case may require) as having come to an end. Place and duration of records. Accounting reference period and date. Alteration of accounting reference period. Penalties for noncompliance with sections 299 and 300. 210 211

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (2) At any time after the end of a period which was an accounting reference period of a company by virtue of section 284 the company may give notice in the prescribed form to the Commission specifying a date in the calendar year (“the new accounting reference date”) on which that accounting reference period (“the previous accounting reference period”) and each subsequent accounting reference period of the company is to be treated as coming or (as the case may require) as having come to an end. (3) A notice under subsection (2) shall have no effect– (a) unless the company is a subsidiary or holding company of another company and the new accounting reference date coincides with the accounting reference date of that other company; and (b) if the period allowed for laying and delivering accounts in relation to the previous accounting reference period has already expired at the time when the notice is given. (4) A notice under this section shall state whether the current or previous accounting reference period of the company– (a) is to be treated as shortened, so as to come to an end or (as the case may require) be treated as having come to an end on the new accounting reference date on the first occasion on which that date falls or fell after the beginning of that accounting reference period; or (b) is to be treated as extended, so as to come to an end or (as the case may require) be treated as having come to an end on the new accounting reference date on the second occasion on which that date falls or fell after the beginning of that accounting reference period. (5) A notice which states that the current or previous accounting reference period is to be extended shall have no effect if the current or previous accounting reference period, as extended in accordance with the notice, would exceed 18 months. (6) Subject to any direction given by the Commission under subsection (7), a notice which states that the current or previous accounting reference period is to be extended shall have no effect unless– (a) no earlier accounting reference period of the company has been extended by virtue of a previous notice given by the company under this section; (b) the notice is given not less than 5 years after the date on which any earlier accounting reference period of the company which was so extended came to an end; or (c) the company is a subsidiary or holding company of another company and the new accounting reference date coincides with the accounting reference date of that other company. (7) The Commission may, if it thinks fit, direct that subsection (6) shall not apply to a notice already given by a company under this section or (as the case may be) in relation to a notice which may be so given.
286. (1) Where a company has given notice under section 284
and that notice has not been superseded by a subsequent notice by the company, the new date specified in the notice is the company’s accounting reference date, in substitution for that which, by virtue of
section 285, was its accounting reference date at the time when the
notice was given.
Consequence of giving notice under
section 284.
212 213

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (2) Where by virtue of such a notice one date is substituted for another as the accounting reference date of a company– (a) the current or previous accounting reference period, shortened or extended (as the case may be) in accordance with the notice; and (b) each successive period of 12 months beginning after the end of that accounting reference period (as so shortened or extended) and ending with the new accounting reference date, or (as the case may require) shall be treated as having been an accounting reference period of the company, instead of any period which would be an accounting reference period of the company if the notice had not been given. (3) Section 285 and this section shall not affect any accounting reference period of the company which– (a) in the case of a notice under subsection (1) of section 285 is earlier than the current accounting reference period; or (b) in the case of a notice under subsection (2) of section 285, is earlier than the previous accounting reference period.
287. (1) Subject to subsection (2), the directors shall from time
to time determine whether and to what extent, at what time and places and under what conditions and regulations the accounts and books of the company or any of them shall be open for the inspection of members who are not directors. (2) No member who is not a director shall have any right to inspect any account or book or document of the company unless that right is conferred by this Act or authorised by the directors or the company at general meeting.
288. (1) The directors of every company shall in respect of
each financial year of the company, prepare financial statements for the year which shall comply with International Financial Reporting Standards. (2) Subject to subsection (3), the financial statements required under subsection (1) shall include– (a) statement of the accounting policies; (b) the balance sheet as at the last day of the financial year; (c) an income statement or, in the case of a company not trading for profit, an income and expenditure account for the year; (d) notes on the accounts; (e) the auditor’s report; (f) the director’s report; (g) cash flow statements; (h) a five-year financial summary for publicly traded companies; and (i) in the case of a holding company, the group financial statements. (3) The financial statements of a private company need not include the matters stated in paragraphs (a), (g), (h) and (i) of subsection (2). (4) The directors shall at their first meeting after the incorporation of the company, determine to what date in each year financial statements shall be made up, and they shall give notice of the date to the Commission within 14 days of the determination. Inspection of accounts and books by non-diretors. Driectors’ duty to prepare annual accounts. 214 215

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (5) In the case of a holding company, the directors shall ensure that, except where in their opinion there are good reasons against it, the financial year of each of its subsidiaries shall coincide with the year of the company. Form and content of company, individual and group financial statements
289. (1) The financial statements of a company prepared under
section 288, shall comply with the requirements of the Third Schedule
(so far as applicable) with respect to their form and content, and with the International Financial Reorting Standards adopted from time to time by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sierra Leone after due consultation with such accounting bodies as they may think fit for these purposes provided that such accounting standards do not conflict with of this Act or that Schedule. (2) The balance sheet shall give a fair representation of the state of affairs of the company as at the end of the year; and the profit and loss account shall give a true and fair view of the profit or loss of the company for the year. (3) The cash flow statements shall provide information on the generation and utilisation of funds by the company during the year. (4) The five-year financial summary shall provide a report for a comparison over a period of five years or more of vital financial information. (5) Subsection (2) overrides– (a) the requirements of the Second Schedule; and (b) all other requirements of this Act as to the matters to be included in the accounts of a company or in notes to those accounts; and accordingly subsections (6) and (9) shall have effect. (6) If the balance sheet or profit and loss account drawn up in accordance with those requirements would not provide sufficient information to comply with subsection (2), any necessary additional information shall be provided in that balance sheet or profit and loss account, or in a note to the accounts. (7) If, owing to special circumstances in the case of any company compliance with such requirement in relation to the balance sheet or profit and loss account would prevent compliance with subsection (2), any necessary additional information shall be provided in that balance sheet or profit and loss account, or in a note to the accounts. (8) If the directors depart from such requirement, particulars of the departure, the reasons for it and its effect shall be given in a note to the accounts. (9) Subsections (1) to (8) shall not apply to group accounts prepared under section 290 and subsections (1) and (2) shall not apply to a company’s income statement (or require the notes otherwise required in relation to that account) if– (a) the company has subsidiaries; and (b) the income statement framed as a consolidated account dealing with all or any of the subsidiaries of the company as well as the company– Form and content of company financial statements. 216 217

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (i) complies with the requirements of this Act relating to consolidated profit and loss accounts; and (ii) shows how much of the consolidated profit and loss account for the year is dealt with in the individual financial statements of the company. (10) If group financial statements are prepared and advantage is taken of subsection (6), that fact shall be disclosed in a note to the group financial statements.
290. (1) If at the end of a financial year a company has
subsidiaries, the directors shall, as well as preparing individual accounts for that year, also prepare group financial statements being accounts or statements, which deal with the state of affairs and profit or loss of the company and the subsidiaries. (2) Subsection (1) shall not apply if the company is a wholly owned subsidiary of another body corporate incorporated in Sierra Leone. (3) A group financial statement may not deal with a subsidiary, if the directors of the company are of the opinion that- (a) it is impracticable, or would be of no real value to the members, in view of the insignificant amounts involved; (b) it would involve expense or delay out of proportion to its value to members of the company; (c) the result would be misleading, or harmful to the business of the company or any of its subsidiaries; or (d) the business of the holding company and that of the subsidiary are so different that they cannot reasonably be treated as a single undertaking. (4) The group financial statements of a company shall consist of a consolidation of– (a) the balance sheet dealing with the state of affairs of the company and all the subsidiaries of the company; and (b) the profit and loss account of the company and its subsidiaries. (5) If the directors are of the opinion that it is better for the purpose of presenting the same or equivalent information about the state of affairs and profit or loss of the company and its subsidiaries, and that to so present it that it may be readily appreciated by the members of the company, the group financial statements may be prepared in a form not consistent with subsection (1) and in particular the group financial statement may consist of– (a) more than one set of consolidated financial statements dealing respectively with the company and one group of subsidiaries and with other groups of subsidiaries; (b) separate financial statements dealing with each of the subsidiaries; or (c) statements expanding the information about the subsidiaries in individual balance sheet and profit and loss account of the holding company. Group financial statements of holding company. 218 219

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009
291. (1) The group financial statements of a holding company
shall comply with the requirements of the Third Schedule, so far as applicable to group financial statements in the form in which those accounts are prepared with respect to the form and content of those statements and any additional information to be provided by way of notes to those accounts. (2) Group financial statements together with any notes on them shall give a true and fair view of the state of affairs and profit or loss of the company and the subsidiaries dealt with by those statements as a whole. (3) Subsection (2) shall override– (a) the requirements of the Third Schedule; and (b) all other requirements of this Act as to the matters to be included in group financial statements or in notes to those statements and accordingly subsections (4) and (5) shall have effect. (4) If, group financial statements are not in accordance with the requirements of this Act by not providing sufficient information in compliance with subsection (2), any necessary additional information shall be provided in, or in a note to, the group financial statements. (5) If, owing to special circumstances in the case of any company compliance with such requirements in relation to its group financial statements would prevent the statements from complying with subsection (2) (even if additional information were provided in accordance with subsection (4) the directors may depart from that requirement in preparing the group financial statements.
292. (1) The additional matters contained in the Third
Schedule shall be disclosed in the company’s financial statements
for the year; and in that Schedule where a thing is required to be stated or shown or information is required to be given, it shall be construed to mean that the thing shall be stated or shown, or the information is to be given in a note to those statements. (2) In the Third Schedule– (a) Parts I and II deal respectively with the disclosure of particulars of the subsidiaries of the company and its shareholders; (b) Part III deals with the disclosure of financial information relating to subsidiaries; (c) Part IV requires a subsidiary company to disclose its ultimate holding company; (d) Part V deals with the emoluments of directors, including emoluments waived, pensions of directors and compensation for loss of office to directors and past directors; and (e) Part VI deals with disclosure of the number of the employees of the company who are remunerated at higher rates. (3) Whenever it is stated in the Third Schedule that this subsection shall apply to certain particulars or information, the particulars or information shall be annexed to the annual return first made by the company after copies of its financial statements have been laid before its shareholders in a general meeting; and if a company fails to satisfy an obligation thus imposed, the company and every officer who is in default shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable to a fine not exceeding Le5,000,000 and for continued contravention, to a daily default fine of Le500,000. Form and content of group financial statements. Additional disclosure required in notes to financial statements. 220 221

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (4) It shall be the duty of any director of a company to give notice to the company of such matters relating to himself as may be necessary for the purposes of Part V of the Third Schedule and this applies to persons who are or have at any time in the preceding 3 years been officers as it applies to directors. (5) A person who defaults in complying with subsection (4) shall be guilty of an offence and be liable to a fine of Le.3,000,000 for each day during which the default continues. Director’s report
293. (1) The directors of every company, shall prepare in
respect of each financial year a report– (a) containing a representation of the effects of transactions, other events and conditions, in accordance with the definitions and recognition criteria for assets and liabilities, income and expenses set out in the International Accounting Standards Board’s Framework for the Preparation and Presentation of Financial Statements; (b) stating the amount (if any) which they recommend should be paid as dividend and any further appropriation of profits. (2) The report shall state the names of the persons who, at any time during the financial year, were directors of the company, and the principal activities of the company and its subsidiaries in the course of the year and any significant change in those activities in the year. (3) The report shall also state the matters, and give the particulars required by Part I of the Fourth Schedule to this Act. (4) Part II of the Fourth Schedule shall apply as regards the matters to be stated in the report of the directors in the circumstances specified in it. (5) Part III of the Fourth Schedule shall apply as regards the matters to be stated in the directors’ report relative to the employment, training and advancement of disabled persons, the health, safety and welfare at work of the employees of the company and the involvement of employees in the affairs, policy and performance of the company. (6) In respect of any failure to comply with the requirements of this Act as to the matters to be stated, and the particulars to be given, in the directors’ report, every person who was a director of the company immediately before the end of the period prescribed for laying and delivering financial statements shall be guilty of an offence and be liable on conviction to a term of imprisonment not exceeding 6 months or to a fine not exceeding Le.5,000,000 (8) In proceedings for an offence under subsection (6), it shall be a defence for the person to prove that he took all reasonable steps for securing compliance with the requirements in question.
294. (1) A company’s balance sheet and every copy of it which
is laid before the company in general meting or delivered to the Commission shall be signed on behalf of the board by two of the directors of the company. (2) If a copy of the balance sheet– (a) is laid before the company or delivered to the Commission without being signed as required by this section; or (b) not being a copy so laid or delivered, is issued, circulated or published in a case where the balance sheet has not been signed as so required or where (the balance sheet having been so signed) the copy does not include a copy of the signatures or signature as the case may be, Director’s report. Signing of balance sheet and documents to be annexed to it. 222 223

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 the company and every officer of it who is in default shall be guilty of an offence and be liable to a fine not exceeding Le3,000,000. (3) A company’s profit and loss account and so far as not incorporated in its individual balance sheet or profit and loss account, any group accounts of a holding company, shall be annexed to the balance sheet, and the auditors’ report and the directors’ report shall also be attached to the balance sheet. (4) The balance sheet and the profit and loss account annexed to it shall be approved by the board of directors and signed on their behalf by two directors authorised to do so.
295. (1) In the case of every company, a copy of the
company’s financial statements for the year shall, not less than 21 days before the date of the meeting at which they are to be laid in accordance with section 296 shall be sent to each of the following persons:– (a) every member of the company (whether or not entitled to receive notice of general meetings; (b) every holder of the company’s debentures, (whether or not so entitled); and (c) all persons other than members and debenture holders, being persons so entitled. (2) In the case of a company not having a share capital, subsection (1) shall not require a copy of the financial statements to be sent to a member of the company who is not entitled to receive notices of general meetings of the company, or to a holder of the company’s debenture who is not so entitled. (3) Subsection (1) shall not require copies of the financial statements to be sent to– (a) a member of the company or a debenture holder, being in either case a person who is not entitled to receive notices of general meetings, and of whose address the company is unaware; (b) more than one of the joint holders of any shares or debentures none of whom are entitled to receive such notices; or (c) those who are not so entitled in the case of joint holders of shares or debentures some of whom are not entitled to receive such notices. (4) If copies of the financial statements are sent less than 21 days before the date of the meeting, it shall, notwithstanding that fact, be deemed to have been duly sent if it is so agreed by all the members entitled to attend and vote at the meeting. (5) If default is made in complying with subsection (1), the company and every officer of it who is in default shall be guilty of an offence and be liable to a fine not exceeding Le3,000,000.00.
296. (1) In respect of each year, the directors shall at a date
not later than 18 months after incorporation of the company and subsequently once at least in every year, lay before the company in general meeting, copies of the financial statements of the company made up to a date not exceeding nine months previous to the date of the meeting. (2) The auditors’ report shall be read before the company in general meeting, and be open to the inspection of any member of the company. (3) In respect of each year, the directors shall deliver with the annual return to the Commission a copy of the balance sheet, the profit and loss account and the notes on the statements which were laid before the general meeting as required by this section. Directors’ duty to lay and deliver financial statements. Persons entitled to receive financial stements as of right. 224 225

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (4) In the case of an unlimited company, the directors shall not be required by subsection (3), to deliver a copy of the accounts if– (a) at no time during the accounting reference period has the company been, to its knowledge, the subsidiary of a company that was then limited and at no such time, to its knowledge have there been held or been exercisable, by or on behalf of two or more companies that were then limited, shares or powers which, if they had been held or been exercisable by one of them, would have made the company its subsidiary; and (b) at no such time has the company been the holding company of a company which was then limited. (5) References in this section to a company that was limited at a particular time are to a body corporate (under whatever law incorporated) the liability of whose members was at that time limited.
297. (1) If in a year any of the requirements of subsection (1)
or (3) of section 296 is not complied with by any company every person who immediately before the end of that period was a director of the company shall, in respect of each of those subsections which is not so complied with, be guilty of an offence and be liable to a daily default fine of Le500,000 in the case of a small company, a company limited by guarantee or an unlimited company, and Le600,000 in the case of any other company. (2) If a person is charged with an offence in respect of any of the requirements of subsection (1) or (3) of section 296, it shall be a defence for him to prove that he took all reasonable steps for ensuring that those requirements were complied with before the end of the period allowed for laying and delivering accounts. (3) In proceedings under this section with respect to a requirement to lay a copy of a document before a company in general meeting, or to deliver a copy of a document to the Commission, it shall not be a defence to prove that the document in question was not in fact prepared as required by this Part .
298. (1) If–
(a) in respect of a year, any of the requirements of subsection (1) or (3) of section 296 has not been complied with by a company before the end of the period allowed for laying and delivering financial statements; and (b) the directors of the company fail to make good the default within 14 days after the service of a notice on them requiring compliance, the court may, on application by any member or creditor of the company or by the Commission make an order directing the directors (or any of them) to make good the default within such time as may be specified in the order. (2) The court’s order may provide that all costs of and incidental to the application shall be borne by the directors. (3) Nothing in this section shall affect the provisions of
section 295.
299. (1) If any financial statements of a company (other than
its group financial statement) of which a copy is laid before the shareholders in general meeting or delivered to the Commission do not comply with the requirement of this Act as to the matters to be included in, or in a note to, those financial statements, every person who at the time when the copy is so laid or delivered is a director of the company shall be guilty of an offence and in respect of each offence, be liable to a fine not exceeding Le5,000,000 Penalty for noncompliance with section 296. Default order in case of non-compliance. Penalty for laying or delivering defective financial statements. 226 227

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (2) If any group financial statements of which a copy is laid before a company in a general meeting or delivered to the Commission do not comply with section 296 or 297 and with the other requirements of this Act as to the matters to be included in or in a note to those financial statements, every person who at the time when the copy was so laid or delivered was a director of the company shall be guilty of an offence and be liable to a fine not exceeding Le5,000,000. (3) In proceedings against a person for an offence under this section, it shall be a defence for him to prove that he took all reasonable steps for ensuring compliance with the requirements in question.
300. (1) Any member of a company, whether or not he is entitled
to have sent to him copies of the company’s financial statements, and any holder of the company’s debentures (whether or not so entitled) shall be entitled to be furnished (on demand and without charge) with a copy of the company’s last financial statements. (2) If, when a person makes a demand for a document which he is entitled by this section to be furnished with, default is made in complying with the demand within 7 days after its making, the company and every officer of it who is in default shall be guilty of an offence and be liable to a daily default fine of Le500,000, unless it is proved that the person has already made a demand for, and been furnished with, a copy of the document Modified financial statements
301. (1) In certain cases a company’s directors may, in
accordance with Part I of the Fifth Schedule deliver modified financial statements in respect of a year as a small company. (2) For the purposes of sections 303 and 304 and the Fifth Schedule “deliver” means deliver to the Commission.
302. (1) In this Part and in Part XIII, a company qualifies as a
small company in a year if for that year the following conditions are satisfied:– (a) it is a private company having a share capital; (b) the amount of its turnover for that year is not more than such amount as may be fixed by the Commission; (c) the value of its net assets is not more than such amount as may be fixed by the Commission; (d) none of its members is a non-citizen of Sierra Leone; (e) non of its members is a Government or public corporation or agency or its nominee; and (f) the directors between them hold not less than 51 percent of its equity share capital. (2) In applying subsection (1) to a period which is a company’s year but not in fact a year, the maximum figure for turnover in paragraph (b) of that subsection shall be proportionately adjusted.
303. (1) The directors of a company may, (subject to section
322 where the company has subsidiaries) deliver individual financial statements modified as for a small company in the cases specified in subsections (2) and (3); and Part I of the Fifth Schedule shall apply with respect to the delivery of financial statements so modified. (2) In respect of the company’s first year, the directors may deliver financial statements modified as for a small company, if in that year it qualifies as a small company. (3) The directors may in respect of a company’s year subsequent to the first– Entitlement to deliver financial statements in modified form. Definition of small company. Share holder’s right to obtain copies of financial statemnt. Modified individual financial statements. 228 229

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (a) deliver financial statements modified as for a small company if the company qualifies as small and it also so qualified in the preceding year; (b) deliver financial statements modified as for a small company (although not qualifying in that year as small), if in the preceding year it so qualified and the directors were entitled to deliver financial statements so modified in respect of that year; (c) deliver financial statements modified as for a small company if, in that year the company qualifies as small and the directors were entitled under paragraph (b) of this subsection to deliver financial statements so modified for the preceding year (although the company did not in that year qualify as small).
304. (1) This section shall apply to a holding company where
in respect of a year section 294 requires the preparation of group financial statements for the company and its subsidiaries. (2) The directors of the holding company may not, under
section 303 deliver financial statements modified as for a small
company, unless the group (that is to say, the holding company and its subsidiaries together) is in that year a small group and the group is small if it would so qualify as a small company. (3) The figures to be taken into account in determining whether the group is small shall be the group account figures, that is– (a) where the group financial statements are prepared as consolidated financial statements the figures for turnover and balance sheet total; and (b) where the group financial statements are not prepared as consolidated financial statements, the corresponding figures given in the group financial statements, with such adjustment as would have been made if the statements had been prepared in consolidated form; aggregated in either case with the relevant figures for the subsidiaries (if any) omitted from the group accounts (excepting those for any subsidiary omitted under paragraph (a) of subsection (3) of section 290 on the grounds of impracticability). (4) In the case of each subsidiary omitted from the group financial statements, the relevant figures as regards turnover, and balance sheet total shall be those which are included in the financial statements of that subsidiary prepared in respect of its relevant year (with such adjustment as would have been made if those figures had been included in group financial statements prepared in consolidated form). (5) For the purposes of subsection (4), the relevant year of the subsidiary shall be– (a) if its year ends with that of the holding company to which the group financial statements relate, that year ;and (b) if not, the subsidiary’s year ending last before the end of the year of the holding company. (6) If the directors are entitled to deliver modified financial statements they may also deliver modified group financial statements and such group financial statements– (a) if consolidated, may be in accordance with
Part II of the Fith Schedule (while otherwise
comprising or corresponding with group financial statements prepared under this Act; and Modified financial statement of holding company. 230 231

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (b) if not consolidated, may be such as (together with any notes) give the same or equivalent information as required by paragraph (a), and Part III of the Fifth Schedule shall apply to modified group financial statements whether consolidated or not. Publication of financial statements
305. (1) This section shall apply to the publication by a
company of full individual or group financial statements, that is to say, the statements required by section 296 to be laid before the company in general meeting and delivered to the Commission including the director’s report, unless dispensed with or under Part III of the Fifth Schedule, but does not apply to interim financial statements. (2) If a company publishes individual financial statements (modified or otherwise) for a year, it shall publish with them the relevant auditor’s report. (3) If a company required by section 290 to prepare group financial statements for a year, publishes individual financial statements for that year, it shall also publish with them its group financial statements (which may be modified financial statements but only if the individual financial statements are modified). (4) If a company publishes group financial statements (modified or not) otherwise than together with its individual financial statements, it shall publish with them the relevant auditors’ report. (5) References in this section to the relevant auditors’ report are to the auditors’ report under section 310, or, in the case of modified financial statements (individual or group), the auditors’ special report under paragraph 12 of Part III of the Fifth Schedule. (6) A company which contravenes any provision of this
section and any officer of it who is in default shall be guilty of an
offence and be liable to a daily default fine of Le500,000.
306. (1) This section shall apply to the publication by a
company of abridged financial statements, that is to say, any balance sheet or profit and loss account relating to a year of the company or purporting to deal with such year, otherwise than as part of the full financial statements (individual or group) to which section 305 applies. (2) The reference in subsection (1) to a balance sheet or profit and loss account, in relation to financial statements published by a holding company, includes an account in any form purporting to be a balance sheet or profit and loss account for the group consisting of the holding company and its subsidiaries. (3) If the company publishes abridged financial statements, it shall publish with those statements, a statement indicating– (a) that the statements are not full financial statements; (b) whether full individual or full group financial statements, according as the abridged statements deal solely with the company’s own affairs or with the affairs of the company and any subsidiaries have been delivered to the Commission or, in the case of an unlimited company exempted under subsection (4) of
section 296 from the requirement to deliver
financial statements, that the company is so exempted; (c) whether the company’s auditors have made a report under section 310 on the company’s financial statements for any year with which the abridged financial statements purport to deal; and (d) whether any report so made was unqualified (meaning that it was a report, without Publication by company fo full individual or group financial statements. Publication of abridged financial statements. 232 233

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 qualification, to the effect that in the opinion of the person making it, the company’s financial statements had been properly prepared). (4) Where a company publishes abridged financial statements, it shall not publish with those statements the report of the auditors as is mentioned in paragraph (c) of subsection (3). (5) A company which contravenes any provision of this
section and any officer of it who is in default, shall be guilty of an
offence and be liable to a daily default fine of Le.500,000 Audit
307. The Minister may, after consultation with the Institute of
Chartered Accountants of Sierra Leone, by regulations– (a) add to the classes of documents– (i) to be comprised in a company’s account for a financial year to be laid before the company in general meeting as required by section 296, or (ii) to be delivered to the Commission under that section, and make provision as to the matters to be included in any document to be added to either class; (b) modify the requirements of this Act as to the matters to be stated in a document of such class; (c) reduce the classes of documents to be delivered to the Commission under section 296.
308. (1) Every company shall, at each annual general meeting
appoint an auditor or auditors to hold office until the next annual general meeting. (2) If an appointment of auditors is not made at the annual general meeting the court may, on the application of any member of the company, appoint an auditor of the company for the current year. (3) A person, other than a retiring auditor, shall not be capable of being appointed auditor at an annual general meeting unless notice of an intention to nominate that person to the office of auditor has been given by a member to the company not less than 14 days before the annual general meeting. (4) The company shall send a copy of the notice to the retiring auditor, and shall give notice to the members either by advertisement or in any other mode allowed by the articles, not less than 7 days before the annual general meeting. (5) If, after notice of the intention to nominate an auditor had been so given, an annual general meeting is called for a date 14 days or less after the notice has been given, the notice, though not given within the time required by subsection(4), shall be deemed to have been properly given for the purposes thereof; and the notice to be sent or given within the time required by subsection (4) shall be sent or given at the same time as the notice of the annual general meeting. (6) Subject to this section, the first auditors of a company may be appointed by the directors at any time before the first annual general meeting, and the auditors so appointed shall hold office until that annual general meeting.
309. (1) A person shall not be qualified for appointment as
auditor of a company for the purposes of this Act, unless he is qualified to practice as an accountant under the Institute of Chartered Accountant Act, 1988 but in the case of a public company, the auditor shall be a chartered accountant. Power of Minister to alter accounting requirements. Appointment and remuneration of auditors. Qualification of auditors Act No. 5 of 1988. 234 235

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (2) None of the following persons shall be qualified for appointment as auditor of a company:– (a) a director or other officer or servant of the company; (b) a person who is a partner of or in the employment of an officer or servant of the company; (c) a person or firm who or which offers to the company professional advice in a consultancy capacity in respect of secretarial or financial management; (d) a body corporate or firm which is closely connected or has control of another body corporate or firm which provides or has provided consulting services to the company intended to be audited; (e) an accountant who is disqualified from practising his profession by a competent body. (3) A person shall also not qualify for appointment as an auditor of a company if he is, under subsection (5), disqualified for appointment as auditor of any other body corporate which is that company’s subsidiary or holding company or a subsidiary of that company’s holding company. (4) Notwithstanding subsections (1), (2) and (3), a firm is qualified for appointment as auditor of a company if, but only if, all the partners are qualified for appointment as auditors. (5) No person shall act as auditor of a company at a time when he knows that he is disqualified for appointment to that office and if an auditor of a company to his knowledge becomes so disqualified during his term of office, he shall vacate his office and give notice in writing to the company that he has vacated it by reason of that disqualification. (6) A person who acts as auditor in contravention of subsection (5), or fails without reasonable excuse to give notice of vacating his office as required by that subsection, shall be guilty of an offence and be liable to a fine not exceeding Le.3,000,000 and, for continued contravention, to a daily default fine of Le.500,000.
310. (1) The auditors of a company shall make a report to the
members on the accounts examined by them and on every balance sheet and profit and loss account, and on all group financial statements copies of which are to be laid before the company in a general meeting during the auditors’ tenure of office. (2) In addition to the report made under subsection (1) the auditor shall, in the case of a public company also make a report to an audit committee which shall be established by the public company. (3) The audit committee referred to in subsection (2) shall consist of an equal number of directors and representatives of the shareholders of the company (subject to a maximum number of six members) and shall examine the auditors’ report and make recommendations thereon to the annual general meeting as it may think fit; but a member of the audit committee shall not be entitled to remuneration and shall be subject to re-election annually. (4) Any member may nominate a shareholder as a member of the audit committee by giving notice in writing of the nomination to the secretary of the company at least 21 days before the annual general meeting. (5) Subject to such other additional functions and powers that the company’s articles of association may stipulate, the objectives and functions of the audit committee shall be to– Auditors’ report. 236 237

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (a) ascertain whether the accounting and reporting policies of the company are in accordance with legal requirements and agreed ethical practices; (b) review the scope and planning of audit requirements; (c) review the findings on management matters in conjunction with the auditor and departmental responses on the findings; (d) keep under review the effectiveness of the company’s system of accounting and internal control; (e) make recommendations to the board of directors in regard to the appointment, removal and remuneration of the auditors of the company; and (f) authorise the internal auditor to carry out investigations into any activities of the company which may be of interest or concern to the committee.
311. (1) It shall be the duty of the company’s auditors, in
preparing their report, to carry out such investigations as may enable them to form an opinion as to the following matters:– (a) whether proper accounting records have been kept by the company and proper returns adequate for their audit have been received from branches not visited by them; and (b) whether the company’s balance sheet and (if not consolidated) its profit and loss account are in agreement with the accounting records and returns. (2) If the auditors are of the opinion that proper accounting records have not been received from branches not visited by them, or if the balance sheet and (if not consolidated ) the profit and loss account are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns, the auditors shall state that fact in their report. (3) Every auditor of a company shall have a right of access at all times to the company’s books, accounts and vouchers, and be entitled to require from the company’s office such information and explanations as he thinks necessary for the performance of the auditor’s duties. (4) If the requirements of Part IV of the Third Schedule are not complied with in the accounts, it shall be the auditors’ duty to include in their report, so far as they are reasonably able to do so, a statement giving the required particulars. (5) It shall be the auditors’ duty to consider whether the information given in the director’s report for the year for which the accounts are prepared is consistent with those accounts; and if they are of opinion that it is not, they shall state that fact in their report.
312. (1) A company may, at a general meeting of which notice
has been served on the auditor by ordinary resolution remove an auditor before the expiration of his term of office, notwithstanding anything in any agreement between the company and the auditor. (2) Where a resolution removing an auditor is passed at a general meeting of a company, the company shall, within 14 days give notice in writing of the fact to the Commission and if a company fails to give the notice required by this subsection the company and every officer who is in default shall be guilty of an offence and be liable to a daily default fine of Le500,000. (3) Nothing in this section shall be taken as depriving a person removed under it of compensation or damages payable to him in respect of the termination of his appointment as auditor or of any appointment terminating with that as auditor. Auditors’ duties and powers. Removal of auditors. 238 239

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009
313. (1) A company’s auditors shall be entitled to attend any
general meeting of the company and to receive all notices of and other communications relating to any general meeting which a member of the company is entitled to receive and to be heard at any general meeting which they attend on any part of the business of the meeting which concerns them as auditors. (2) An auditor of a company who has been removed shall be entitled to attend– (a) the general meeting at which his term of office would otherwise have expired; and (b) any general meeting at which it is proposed to fill the vacancy caused by his removal, and to receive all notices of, and other communications relating to, such meeting which any member of the company is entitled to receive, and to be heard at any such meeting which he attends on any part of the business of the meeting which concerns him as former auditor of the company.
314. (1) An auditor of a company may resign his office by
depositing a notice in writing to that effect at the company’s registered office; and the notice shall operate to bring his term of office to an end on the date on which the notice is served, or on such later date as may be specified in the notice. (2) An auditor’s notice of resignation shall not be effective unless it contains either– (a) a statement to the effect that there are no circumstances connected with his resignation which he considers should be brought to the notice of the members or creditors of the company; or (b) a statement of such circumstances as are mentioned in paragraph (a) (3) Where a notice under this section is served at a company’s registered office, the company shall, within 14 days send a copy of the notice– (a) to the Commission; and (b) if the notice contains a statement under paragraph (b) of subsection (2), to every person who under section 295 is entitled to be sent copies of the financial statements. (4) The company or any person claiming to be aggrieved may, within 14 days of the receipt by the company of a notice containing a statement under paragraph (b) of subsection (2), apply to the court for an order under subsection (5). (5) If, on such an application the court is satisfied that the auditor is using the notice to secure needless publicity for a defamatory matter, it may, by order, direct that copies of the notice need not be sent out; and the court may further order the company’s costs on the application to be paid in whole or in part by the auditor, notwithstanding that he is not a party to the application. (6) The company shall, within 14 days of the court’s decision, send to the persons mentioned in subsection (3)– (a) if the court makes an order under subsection (5), a statement setting out the effect of the order; (b) if not, a copy of the notice containing the statement under paragraph (b) of subsection (2). (7) If default is made in complying with the provisions of subsection (3) or (6), the company and every officer of it who is in default shall be guilty of an offence and be liable to a daily default fine of Le.500,000
315. (1) A company’s auditor shall in the performance of his
duties, exercise all such care, diligence and skill as is reasonably necessary in each particular circumstance. (2) Where a company suffers loss or damage as a result of the failure of its auditor to discharge the duty imposed on him by subsection (1) , the auditor shall be liable for negligence and the directors may institute an action for negligence against him. 240 241 Auditors’ right to attend company’s meetings. Resignation of auditors. Liability of auditors for negligence.

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (3) If the directors fail to institute an action against the auditor under subsection (2), any member may do so under section 258 after the expiration of 30 days notice to the company of his intention to institute such action. (4) Where the company suffers loss as a result of fraud by an auditor, the auditor commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding Le8,000,000
316. (1) An officer of a company is guilty of an offence if he
knowingly or recklessly makes to a company’s auditors a statement (whether written or oral) which– (a) conveys or purports to convey any information or explanation which the auditors require, or are entitled to require, as auditors of the company; and (b) is misleading, false, or deceptive in a material particular. (2) A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable to a term of imprisonment not exceeding one year or to a fine not exceeding Le5,000,000 or both the fine and imprisonment.
PART XIII–ANNUAL RETURNS
317. (1) Subject to this section, every company having a share
capital other than a small company shall at least once in every year, make a return containing the following information:– (a) the names, addresses and occupations of all past and present members and the number of shares held by them and the shares transferred since the last return; (b) the address of the registered office, and if the register of members is kept elsewhere than at the registered office of the company, the address of the place where it is kept; (c) a summary distinguishing between shares issued for cash and shares issued as fully or partly paid up otherwise than in cash specifying the following particulars:– (i) the amount of share capital and the number of shares into which it is divided; (ii) the number of shares taken from the incorporation of the company up to the date of the return; (iii) the amount called up on each share and the total amount of calls received and unpaid; (iv) the total amount of moneys, if any, paid by way of commission in respect of any shares or debentures; (v) particulars of any discount allowed on the issue of any shares issued at a discount or so much of the discount as has not been written off at the date on which the return is made; (vi) the amount of shares forfeited; (vii) the amount of shares for which share warrants are outstanding at the date of the return and of the share warrants issued and surrendered respectively since the date of the last return and the number of shares comprised in each warrant; (viii) particulars of directors; and (ix) the amount of indebtedness in respect of all mortgages and charges which are required to be registered under this Act. (2) The return shall be in the form set out in the Sixth
Schedule.
242 243
Annual returns of companies having share capital.
False statements to auditors.

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (3) In the case of a company still keeping a branch register, the particulars of the entry in that register shall, so far as they relate to matters which are required to be stated in the return, be included in the return made next after copies of those entries are received at the registered office of the company.
318. (1) Every company not having a share capital shall, at
least once in every year, make a return stating– (a) the address of the registered office; and (b) the particulars of directors. (2) There shall be annexed to the return a statement containing particulars of the amount of indebtedness of the company in respect of all mortgages and charges which are required to be registered with the Commission under this Act.
319. (1) Every small company shall, at least once every year
make a return stating–
(a) the name and address of the registered office of the company; (b) if the register of members is, under this Act kept elsewhere than at the registered office of the company, the address of the place where it is kept; (c) if any register of debenture holders of the company or part of such register is, under this Act kept elsewhere than at the registered office of the company, the address of the place where it is kept; (d) the share capital of the company; (e) the issued capital; (f) particulars of the total amount of indebtedsness of the company in respect of all mortgages and charges which are required to be registered with the Commission under this Act; (g) particulars of the directors and secretary. (2) The return shall be in the form set out in the Seventh
Schedule.
320. (1) Every annual return made under this Part shall–
(a) be contained in a separate part of the register; and. (b) be completed within 28 days after the first or only general meeting in the year, and the company shall forward to the Commission a copy signed by a director or secretary of the company. (2) Section 73 shall apply with such modifications as may be necessary to the inspection of the annual returns. (3) Except where the company is a private company, the annual returns shall include– (a) a copy certified by a director or secretary to be a balance sheet audited by the company’s auditors, including every document required by law to be annexed to it; and (b) a copy of the report of the auditors on the balance sheet and if such balance sheet is in a language other than English, there shall also be annexed to it a translation in the English language, certified in the prescribed manner to be a correct translation. (4) If the last balance sheet did not comply with the requirements of the law as in force at the date of the audit with respect 244 245 Annual returns of company not having share capital. General pro- visions on annual returns. Annual returns of small companies.

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 to the form of balance sheets there shall be made such additions to and corrections in the copy as would have been required to be made in the balance sheet in order to make it comply with the requirements, and the fact that the copy has been so amended shall be stated in the copy. (5) If a company fails to comply with this section or either
section 318 or 319 the company and every officer of the company
who is in default shall be liable to a daily default fine of Le500,000. (6) For the purposes of this Part, the expressions “officer” and “director”, shall include any person in accordance with whose directions or instructions the directors of the company are accustomed to act.
321. A private company shall send with the annual returns
required under section 318 a certificate signed by a director or secretary of the company that the company has not, since the last return or in the case of a first return, since the date of the incorporation of the company, issued, any invitation to the public to subscribe for any shares or debentures of the company; and where the annual return discloses the fact that the number of members of the company exceeds 50 also a certificate so signed that the excess consist wholly of persons who, under this Act, are not to be included in reckoning the number of 50.
PART XIV –DIVIDENDS AND PROFITS
322. (1) A company may, in general meeting, declare dividends
in respect of any year or other period only on the recommendation of the directors. (2) The company may from time to time pay to the members such interim dividends as appear to the directors to be justified by the profits of the company. (3) The general meeting shall have power to decrease the amount of dividend recommended by the directors, but shall have no power to increase the recommended amount. (4) Where the recommendation of the directors of a company with respect to the declaration of a dividend is varied in accordance with subsection (3) by the company in general meeting, a statement to that effect shall be included in the relevant annual returns. (5) Subject to this Act, dividends shall be payable to the shareholders only out of the distributable profits of the company. (6) Subject to the rights of persons entitled to shares with special rights to dividends, all dividends shall be declared and paid according to the amounts paid on the shares; but where nothing is paid up on any of the shares in the company, dividends may be declared and paid according to the amounts of the shares. (7) No amount paid on a share in advance of calls shall, while carrying interest, be treated as paid on the share.
323. Subject to the company being able to pay its debts as they
fall due, the company may pay dividends out of the following profits:– (a) profits arising from the use of the company’s property although it is a wasting asset; (b) revenue reserves; (c) realised profit on a fixed asset sold, but where more than one asset is sold, the net realised profit on the assets sold.
324. A company shall not declare or pay dividend if there are
reasonable grounds for believing that the company is or would be, after the payment, unable to pay its liabilities as they become due.
325. (1) Where dividends are returned to the company
unclaimed, the company shall send a list of the names of the persons entitled with the notice of the next annual general meeting to the members. (2) After the expiration of 3 months of the notice mentioned in subsection (1), the company may invest the unclaimed dividend for its own benefit in an investment outside the company and no interest shall accrue on the dividends against the company. 246 247 Certificates to be sent by private companies with annual returns. Declaration of dividend and payment of interim dividend. Distributable profits. Restriction on declaration and payment of dividends. Unclaimed dividends.

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (3) Where dividends have been sent to members and there is an omission to send to some other members due to the fault of the company, the dividends shall earn interest at the current bank rate from three months after the date on which they ought to have been posted. (4) For the purpose of liability, the date of posting the dividend warrant shall be deemed to be the date of payment and proof of whether it has been sent is a question of fact.
326. (1) The directors may, before recommending any
dividend, set aside out of the profits of the company such sums as they think proper as a reserve or reserves which shall, at their discretion , be applicable for any purpose to which the profits of the company may be properly applied, and pending such application may, also at their discretion, either be employed in the business of the company or be invested in such investments (other than shares of the company) as the directors may from time to time think fit; and the directors may also without placing them to reserve, carry forward any profits which they may think prudent not to distribute. (2) The company in general meeting may upon the recommendation of the directors, resolve that it is desirable to capitalise any part of the amount for the time being standing to the credit of any of the company’s reserve accounts or to the credit of the profit and loss account or otherwise available for distribution. (3) Such sum may be set free for distribution among the members who would have been entitled to dividends in the same proportions on condition that the dividends be not paid in cash but be applied either in or towards paying up any amounts for the time being unpaid on any shares held by such members respectively or paying up in full unissued shares or debentures of the company to be allotted and distributed to creditors as fully paid up. (4) The company may decide by a resolution what part is to be distributed in cash or in shares and the directors shall give effect to such resolution. (5) Share premium account and a capital redemption reserve fund may, for the purposes of this subsection, only be applied in the paying up of unissued shares to be issued to members of the company as fully paid bonus shares. (6) Where a resolution under subsections (2) and (4) is passed, the directors shall make all appropriations and applications of the undivided profits resolved to be capitalised thereby, and all allotments and issues of fully-paid up shares or debentures, if any, and generally do all acts and things required to give effect to it. (7) The directors shall have power to make such provision by the issue of fractional certificates or by payment in cash or otherwise as they think fit in the case of shares or debentures becoming distributable in fractions. (8) Any person may be authorised by the directors to enter on behalf of all the members entitled under this section into an agreement with the company- (a) to provide for the allotment to each of the members respectively, credited as fully paid up, of any further shares or debentures to which they may be entitled upon such capitalisation; or (b) for the payment up by the company on their behalf, of the amounts or any part of the amounts remaining unpaid on their existing shares; and any agreement made under such authority shall be effective and binding on all the members.
327. If under his contract of service, an employee is entitled to
a share in the profits of the company as an incentive, he shall be entitled to share in the profits of the company whether or not dividends have been declared.
328. Dividends shall be specialty debts due to, and recoverable
by shareholders within 12 years, and actionable only when declared. 248 249 Reserves and capitalization Employees’ shares and profit sharing. Right of share holders to sue for dividends.

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009
329. (1) All directors who knowingly pay, or are party to the
payment of dividend out of capital or otherwise in contravention of this Part shall be personally liable jointly and severally to refund to the company any amount so paid. (2) The directors shall have the right to recover the dividend from shareholders who receive it with knowledge that the company had no power to pay it.
PART XV–RECEIVERS AND MANAGERS
Appointment of receivers and managers
330. (1) The following persons shall not be appointed or act
as receivers or managers of any property or undertaking of any company:- (a) any person who is under the age of 18 years; (b) any person found by a court to be of unsound mind; (c) a body corporate; (d) an undischarged bankrupt, unless he shall have been given leave to act as a receiver or manager of the property or undertaking of the company by the court by which he was adjudged bankrupt; (e) a director or auditor of the company; (f) any person convicted of any offence involving fraud, corruption or moral turpitude and who is disqualified as a result of a conviction for any offence in connection with the promotion or formation of a company. (2) Any appointment made in contravention of subsection (1) shall be void and if any of the persons named in paragraphs (c), (d), (e) and (f) of that subsection acts as a receiver or manager, he shall be guilty of offence and be liable to a fine not exceeding Le.5,000,000 in the case of a body corporate or, in the case of an individual to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to a fine not exceeding Le.3,000,000. (3) Where any of the persons mentioned in subsection (1) is, at the commencement of this Act acting as a receiver or manager he may be removed by the court on an application by a person interested.
331. Where an application is made to the court to appoint a
receiver on behalf of the debenture holders or other creditors of a company which is being wound up by the court, the official receiver may be appointed.
332. (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act
the court may, on the application of a person interested, appoint a receiver or a receiver and manager of the property or undertaking of a company if- (a) the principal money borrowed by the company or the interest is in arrears; or (b) the security or property of the company is in jeopardy. (2) A receiver or manager of any property or undertaking of a company appointed by the court shall be deemed to be an officer of the court and not of the company and shall act in accordance with the directions and instructions of the court.
333. (1) A receiver or manager of any property or undertaking
of a company appointed out of court under a power contained in any instrument shall, subject to section 337, be deemed to be an agent of the person or persons on whose behalf he is appointed and, if appointed manager of the whole or any part of the undertaking of a company he shall be deemed to stand in a fiduciary relationship to the company and observe the utmost good faith towards it in any transaction with it or on its behalf. 250 251 Liability for paying dividend out of capital, Disqualification for appointment as receiver or manager. Official receiver for debenture holders and others. Appointment of receivers and managers by court. Receivers and managers appointed out of court.

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (2) A manager referred to in subsection (1), shall– (a) act at all times in what he believes to be the best interests of the company as a whole so as to preserve its assets, further its business, and promote the purposes for which it was formed, and in such manner as a faithful, diligent, careful and ordinarily skilful manager would act in the circumstance; (b) in considering whether a particular transaction or course of action is in the best interest of the company as a whole, may have regard to the interests of the employees, as well as the members of the company, and when appointed by, or as a representative of, a special class of members or creditors may give special, but not exclusive, consideration to their interest. (3) Nothing in the articles of a company, in any contract, or in any resolution of a company shall relieve any manager from the duty to act in accordance with subsection (2) or relieve him from any liability incurred as a result of any breach of such duty.
334. A receiver or manager of the property of a company
appointed in accordance with subsection (1) of section 332, may apply to the court for direction in relation to any particular matter arising in connection with the performance of his functions, and on such application, the court may give such directions or make such order declaring the rights of persons before the court or otherwise, as it thinks just.
335. (1) If any person obtains an order for the appointment of
a receiver or manager of the property of a company or appoints a receiver under any powers contained in any instrument, he shall, within 7 days from the date of the order or appointment, give notice of the fact to the Commission indicating the terms of the appointment and remuneration and the Commission shall, on payment of such fee as it may prescribe, enter the fact in the register of charges. (2) Every invoice, order for goods or business letter issued by or on behalf of the company or the receiver or manager or liquidator of a company, being a document on or in which the company’s name appears, shall contain a statement that a receiver or manager has been appointed. (3) Where any person appointed a receiver or manager of the property of a company under the powers contained in any instrument ceases to act as a receiver or manager, he shall, on so ceasing, give the Commission notice to that effect and the Commission shall enter the notice in the register of charges.
336. (1) A person appointed a receiver of any property of a
company shall, subject to the rights of prior incumbrancers, take possession of and protect the property, receive the rents and profits and discharge all out- goings in respect thereof and realise the security for the benefit of those on whose behalf he is appointed, but unless appointed manager he shall not have power to carry on any business or undertaking. (2) A person appointed manager of the whole or any part of the undertaking of a company shall manage it with a view to the beneficial realisation of the security of those on whose behalf he is appointed. (3) As from the date of appointment of a receiver or manager, the powers of the directors or liquidators in a members’ voluntary winding up to deal with the property or undertaking over which he is appointed shall cease unless and until the receiver or manager is discharged. (4) If, on the appointment of a receiver or manager, the company is being wound up under the provision relating to creditor’s voluntary winding up, or the property concerned is in the hands of some other officer of the court, the liquidator or officer shall not be bound to relinquish control of such property to the receiver or manager except under the order of the court. 252 253 Receiver or manager appointed out of court to apply to court for directions. Registration of appointment order etc. Duties, powers, etc, of receivers and managers.

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009
337. (1) A receiver or manager of any property or undertaking
of a company shall be personally liable on any contract entered into by him except in so far as the contract otherwise expressly provides. (2) As regards contracts entered into by a receiver or manager in the proper performance of his functions, such receiver or manager shall, subject to the rights of any prior incumbrancers, be entitled to an indemnity in respect of liability thereon out of the property over which he has been appointed to act as receiver or manager. (3) A receiver or manager appointed out of court under a power contained in any instrument shall also be entitled, as regards contracts entered into by him with the express or implied authority of those appointing him, to an indemnity in respect of liability thereon from those appointing him to the extent to which he is unable to recover in accordance with subsection (2). Procedure after appointment
338. (1) Where a receiver or manager of the whole or
substantially the whole of the property of a company (hereafter in this section and in section 337, referred to as “the receiver”) has been appointed on behalf of the holders of any debentures of the company secured by a floating charge, then subject to the provisions of this section and of section 340– (a) the receiver shall forthwith send notice to the company of his appointment and the terms; and (b) there shall, within 14 days after receipt of the notice or such longer period as may be allowed by the court or by the receiver, be made out and submitted to the receiver in accordance with section 340, a statement in the prescribed form as to the affairs of the company; and (c) the receiver shall, within 2 months after receipt of the statement send– (i) to the Commission or to the court a copy of the statement and of any comments he sees fit to make thereon and in the case of the Commission also a summary of the statement and of his comments if any on it; (ii) to the company a copy of such comments or if he does not see fit to make any comment, a notice to that effect; and (iii) to any trustees for the debenture holder on whose behalf he has been appointed and, so far as he is aware of their addresses, to all such debenture holders a copy of the summary. (2) The receiver shall, within 2 months, or such longer period as the court may allow after the expiration of the period of 12 months from the date of his appointment and of every subsequent period of 12 months, and within 2 months or such longer period as the court may allow after he ceases to act as receiver or manager of the property of the debenture holder of the company, send to- (a) the Commission, (b) any trustees for the debenture holders of the company on whose behalf he was appointed; (c) the company; and (d) so far as he is aware of their addresses to all such debenture holders, an abstract in the prescribed form showing his receipts and payments during that period of 12 months, or, where he ceases to act as a receiver during the period from the end of the period to which the last preceding abstract relate up to the date of his so ceasing, and the 254 255 Notice of appointment. Liabilities of receivers managers on contracts.

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 aggregate amounts of his receipts and of his payments during all preceding periods since his appointment. (3) Where the receiver is appointed under the powers contained in any instrument, this section shall have effect- (a) with the omission of the references to the court in subsection (1); and (b) with the substitution for the references to the court in subsection (2) of references to the Commission; and in any other case references to the court shall be taken as referring to the court by which the receiver was appointed . (4) Subsection (1) shall not apply in relation to the appointment of a receiver or manager to act with an existing receiver or manager or in place of a receiver or manager dying or ceasing to act, but that where subsection (1) applies to a receiver or manager who dies or ceases to act before it has been fully complied with, the references in paragraphs (b) and (c) of that subsection to the receiver shall, subject to subsection (5), include references to his successors and to any continuing receiver or manager. (5) Nothing in subsection (4) shall be taken as limiting the meaning of the expression “the receiver” where used in, or in relation to, subsection (2). (6) This section and section 340, where the company is being wound up, shall apply notwithstanding that the receiver or manager and the liquidator are the same person. (7) Nothing in subsection (2) shall prejudice the duty of the receiver to render proper accounts of his receipts and payments to the person to whom, and at the time at which he may be required to do so apart from that subsection. (8) If the receiver defaults in complying with the requirements of this section, he shall be guilty of an offence and be liable to a fine of Le.500,000 for each day during which the default continues.
339. (1) The statements as to the affairs of a company required
by section 338, to be submitted to the receiver (or his successor) shall show as at the date of the receiver’s appointment, the particulars of the company’s assets, debts and liabilities, the names, residences and occupations of its creditors, the securities held by them respectively, the dates when the securities were respectively given and such further or other information as may be prescribed. (2) The statement shall be submitted by, and be verified by affidavit of one or more of the persons who are at the date of the receiver’s appointment, the directors and by the person who is at that date the secretary of the company, or by such of the persons in this subsection mentioned as the receiver (or his successors), subject to the direction of the court, may require to submit and verify the statement, that is to say, persons- (a) who are or have been officers of the company; (b) who have taken part in the formation of the company at any time within one year before the date of the receiver’s appointment; (c) who are in the employment of the company, or have been in the employment of the company within the year, and are in the opinion of the receiver capable of giving the information required; (d) who are or have been within the year officers of or in the employment of a company which is, or within the year was, an officer of the company to which the statement relates. (3) Any person making the statement and affidavit shall be allowed, and shall be paid by the receiver (or his successor) out of his receipts, such costs and expenses incurred in and about the preparation and making of the statement and affidavit as the receiver (or his successor) may consider reasonable, subject to an appeal to the court. 256 257 Special provisions as to statement submitted to receiver.

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (4) Where the receiver is appointed under the powers contained in any instrument, this section shall have effect with the substitution for references to the court of references to the Commission and references to an affidavit, of references to a statutory declaration; and in any other case references to the court shall be taken as referring to the court by which the receiver was appointed. (5) If any person without reasonable excuse defaults in complying with the requirements of this section, he shall be guilty of an offence and be liable to a fine of Le.500,000 for each day during which the default continues. (6) Reference in this section to the receiver’s successor shall include a continuing receiver or manager. Accounts by r eceivers or managers
340. (1) Except where subsection (2) of section 339 applies,
everyreceiver or manager of the property of a company who has been appointed under the powers contained in any instrument shall, within one month or such longer periods as the Commission may allow, after the expiration of the period of 6 months from the date of his appointment, and of every subsequent period of 6 months, and within one month after he ceases to act as receiver or manager, deliver to the Commission for registration an abstract in the prescribed form showing his receipts and his payments during that period of 6 months, or where he ceases to act as aforesaid, during the period from the end of the period to which the last preceding abstract relate up to the date of his ceasing, and the aggregate amount of his receipts and of his payments during all preceding periods since his appointment (2) Every receiver or manager who defaults in complying with this section shall be guilty of an offence and be liable to a fine of Le.500,000 for each day during which the default continues. Duty as to returns
341. (1) If any receiver or manager of the property of a company
having–
(a) defaulted in filing, delivering or making any returns, account or other document, or in giving any notice, which a receiver or manager is by law required to file, delivers, makes, gives or fails to make good the default within 14 days after the service on him of a notice requiring him to do so; or (b) been appointed under the powers contained in any instrument has, after being required at any time by the liquidator of the company to do so fails to render proper accounts of his receipts and payment and to vouch them and to pay over to the liquidator the amount properly payable to him, the Court may, on an application made for the purpose, make an order directing the receiver or manager, as the case may be, to make good the default within such time as may be specified in the order, (2) In the case of any default as is mentioned in paragraph (a) of subsection (1), an application for the purposes of this section may be made by any member or by the Commission, and in the case of such default as is mentioned in paragraph (b) of that subsection, the application shall be made by the liquidator, and in either case the order may provide that all costs shall be borne by the receiver or manager, as the case may be. (3) Nothing in this section shall be taken to prejudice the operation of any enactment imposing penalties on receivers in respect of such default as is mentioned in subsection (1). Construction of references
342. Unless the context otherwise requires, any reference in
this Act–
(a) to a receiver or manager of the property of a company, or to a receiver thereof, includes a reference to a receiver or manager or as the case may be to a receiver of part only of that property and to a receiver only of the income arising from that property or from part thereof; and 258 259 Delivery to Commission of accounts of receivers and managers. Enforcement of duty of receivers, \managers to make returns, etc. Construction of references to receivers and managers.

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (b) to the appointment of a receiver or manager under the powers contained in any instrument includes reference to an appointment made under powers which, by virtue of any enactment, are implied in and have effect as contained in the instrument.
PART XVI – WINDING UP
Modes of winding up
343. (1) The winding up of a company may be either-
(a) by the court;
(b) voluntary; or
(c) subject to the supervision of the court.
(2) This Act with respect to winding up applies, unless the contrary appears, to the winding up of a company in any of those modes. Liability of members
344. (1) In the event of a company being wound up, every
present and past member shall be liable to contribute to the assets of the company to an amount sufficient for payment of its debts and liabilities, and the costs, charges and expenses of the winding up, and for the adjustment of the rights of the contributories among themselves, subject to subsection (2) and the following qualifications:– (a) a past member shall not be liable to contribute; (i) if he has ceased to be a member for one year or upwards before the commencement of the winding up; (ii) in respect of any debt or liability of the company contracted after he ceased to be a member; (iii) unless it appears to the court that the existing members are unable to satisfy the contributions required to be made by them in pursuance of this Act; (b) in the case of a company limited by shares, no contribution shall be required from any member exceeding the amount, if any, unpaid on the shares in respect of which he is liable as a present or past member; (c) in the case of a company limited by guarantee, no contribution shall, subject to subsection (3), be required from any member exceeding the amount undertaken to be contributed by him to the assets of the company in the event of its being wound up; (d) nothing in this Act shall invalidate any provision contained in any policy of insurance or other contract whereby the liability of individual members on the policy or contract is restricted, or whereby the funds of the company are alone made liable in respect of the policy or contract; (e) a sum due to any member of a company, in his capacity as a member, by way of dividends, profits or otherwise, shall not be deemed to be a debt of the company, payable to that member in a case of competition between himself and any other creditor not a member of the company; but such sum may be taken into account for the purpose of the final adjustment of the rights of the contributories among themselves. (2) In the winding up of a limited company, any director or manager, whether past or present, whose liability is, under this Act, unlimited, shall, in addition to his liability (if any) to contribute as an 260 261 Modes of winding up. Liability as contributories of present and past members.

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 ordinary member, be liable to make a further contribution as if he were, at the commencement of the winding up a member of an unlimited company; but– (a) a past director or manager shall not be liable to make such further contribution if he has ceased to hold office for a year or upwards before the commencement of the winding up; (b) a past director or manager shall not be liable to make such further contribution in respect of any debt or liability of the company contracted after he ceased to hold office; (c) subject to the articles of the company, a director or manager shall not be liable to make such further contribution in order to satisfy the debts and liabilities of the company, and the costs, charges and expenses of the winding up. (3) In the winding up of a company limited by guarantee which has a share capital, every member of the company shall be liable, in addition to the amount undertaken to be contributed by him to the assets of the company in the event of its being wound up, to contribute to the extent of any sums unpaid on any shares held by him.
345. “Contributory” means every person liable to contribute to
the assets of a company in the event of its being wound up, and for the purposes of all proceedings for determining, and all proceedings prior to the final determination of, the persons who are to be deemed contributories, includes any person alleged to be a contributory.
346. The liability of a contributory shall create a debt of the
nature of a specialty accruing due from him at the time when his liability commenced, but payable at the times when calls are made for enforcing the liability.
347. (1) If a contributory dies either before or after he has
been placed on the list of contributories, his personal representatives shall be liable in due course of administration to contribute to the assets of the company in discharge of his liability and shall be contributories accordingly. (2) If the personal representatives default in paying any money ordered to be paid by them, proceedings may be taken for administering the estate of the deceased contributory, and for compelling payment from the estate of the money due. (3) Where the personal representatives are placed on the list of contributories, the heirs or assigns need not be added; but they may be added as and when the court thinks fit.
348. If a contributory becomes bankrupt, either before or after
he has been placed on the list of contributories– (a) his trustee in bankruptcy shall represent him for all the purposes of the winding up, and shall be a contributory accordingly; (b) his trustee may be called on to admit to proof against the estate of the bankrupt, or otherwise to allow to be paid out of his assets in due course of law, any money due from the bankrupt in respect of his liability to contribute to the assets of the company; and (c) there may be proved against the estate of the bankrupt the estimated value of his liability to future calls as well as calls already made. Winding-up by court-jurisdiction
349. The High Court shall have jurisdiction to wind up any
company incorporated or registered in Sierra Leone.
262 263
Definition of contributory.
Nature of liability of contributory.
Contributories in case of death of member.
Contributories in case of bankruptcy of member.
Jurisdiction to wind up companies incoporated in Sierra Leone.

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 Cases in which company may be wound up by court 350 . A company may be wound up by the court if- (a) the company has by special resolution resolved that the company be wound up by the court; (b) default is made in delivering the statutory report to the Commission or in holding the statutory meeting; (c) the company does not commence its business for a whole year; (d) subject to section 67, the membership of the company falls below the requirements in
section 15;
(e) the company is unable to pay its debts; (f) the court is of the opinion that it is just and equitable that the company should be wound up.
351. A company shall be deemed to be unable to pay it debts–
(a) if a creditor, by assignment or otherwise, to whom the company is indebted in a sum exceeding Le2,000,000 then due, has served on the company, by leaving it at the registered office of the company, a demand under his hand requiring the company to pay the sum so due, and the company has for three weeks thereafter neglected to pay the sum, or to secure or compound for it to the reasonable satisfaction of the creditor; (b) if, in Sierra Leone, execution or other process issued on a decree or order of any court in favour of a creditor of the company is returned unsatisfied in whole or in part; or (c) if it is proved to the satisfaction of the court that the company is unable to pay its debts, and, in determining whether a company is unable to pay its debts, the court shall take into account the contingent and prospective liabilities of the company.
352. (1) An application to the court for the winding up of a
company shall be by petition, presented subject to the provisions of this section, either by the company or by any creditor or creditors (including any contingent or prospective creditor or creditors), contributory or contributories, or by all or any of those parties, together or separately; but– (a) a contributory shall not be entitled to present a winding up petition unless the shares in respect of which he is a contributory, or some of them, either were originally allotted to him or have been held by him, and registered in his name, for at least 6 months during the 18 months before the commencement of the winding up or have devolved on him through the death of a former holder; (b) a winding-up petition shall not, if the ground of the petition is default in delivering the statutory report to the Commission or in holding the statutory meeting, be presented by any person except a shareholder, nor before the expiration of fourteen days after the last day on which the meeting ought to have been held; and (c) the court shall not give a hearing to a windingup petition presented by a contingent or prospective creditor until such security for costs has been given as the court thinks reasonable and until a prima facie case for winding up has been established to the satisfaction of the court. 264 265 Circumstances in which company may be wound up by court. Definition of inability to pay debts. Provision as to applications for winding up.

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (2) Where a company is being wound up voluntarily or subject to supervision, a winding-up petition may be presented b y the official receiver attached to the court as well as by any other person authorised in that behalf under the other provisions of this
section, but the court shall not make a winding-up order on the petition
unless it is satisfied that the voluntary winding up or winding up subject to supervision cannot be continued with due regard to the interests of the creditors or contributories.
353. (1) On hearing a winding-up petition, the court may
dismiss it or adjourn the hearing conditionally or unconditionally, or make any interim order or any other order that it may think fit; but the court shall not refuse to make a winding-up order on the grounds only that the assets of the company have been mortgaged to an amount equal to or in excess of those assets, or that the company has no assets. (2) Where the petition is presented on the ground of default in delivering the statutory report to the Commission or in holding the statutory meeting, the court may- (a) instead of making a winding-up order, direct that the statutory report shall be delivered or that a meeting shall be held; and (b) order the costs to be paid by any persons who, in the opinion of the court, are responsible for the default. (3) If the petition is presented by members of the company as contributories on the ground that it is just and equitable that the company should be wound up, the court, if it is of the opinion - (a) that the petitioners are entitled to relief either by winding up the company or by some other means; and (b) that in the absence of any other remedy it would be just and equitable that the company should be wound up, shall make a winding-up order, but this does not apply if the court is also of the opinion both that some other remedy is available to the petitioners and that they are acting unreasonably in seeking to have the company wound up instead of pursuing that other remedy.
354. The court may, at any time after the presentation of the
petition for winding up a company under this Act and before making an order for winding up the company, upon the application of the company or any creditor or contributory restrain further proceedings in any suit or proceedings against the company upon such terms as the court thinks fit.
355. In a winding up by the court, any disposition of the property
of the company, including things-in-action, and any transfer of shares, or alteration in the status of the members of the company, made after the commencement of the winding up, shall, unless the court otherwise orders, be void.
356. When any company is being wound up by the court, any
attachment, distress, or execution put in force against the estate or effects of the company after the commencement of the winding up shall be void. Commencement of winding up
357. (1) Where before the presentation of a petition for the
winding up of a company by the court a resolution has been passed by the company for voluntary winding up, the winding up of the company shall be deemed to have commenced at the time of the passing of the resolution, and unless the court, on proof of fraud or mistake, thinks fit otherwise to direct, all proceedings taken in the voluntary winding up shall be deemed to have been validly taken. (2) In any other case, the winding-up of a company by the court shall be deemed to commence at the time of the presentation of the petition for the winding up.
358. On the making of a winding-up order, a copy of the order
shall be forwarded by the company to the Commission who shall make a minute therefore in its books relating to the company. 266 267 Power of court on hearing petition. Power to stay or restrain proceedings against company. Avoidance of disposition of property, etc. after commencement of winding up. Avoidance of attachment, etc Commencement of winding up by the court. Copy of order to be forwarded to Commission.

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009
359. When a winding-up order has been made or a provisional
liquidator has been appointed, no action or proceeding shall be proceeded with or or commenced against the company except by leave of the court, and subject to such terms as the court may impose.
360. An order for winding-up a company shall operate in favour
of all creditors and of all the contributories of the company as if made on the joint petition of a creditor and of a contributory. Official receiver in winding up
361. For the purposes of this Act so far as it relates to the
winding-up of companies by the court the term “official receiver” means the official receiver appointed for the purpose by the Commission .
362. (1) Where the court has made a winding-up order or
appointed a provisional liquidator, there shall, unless the court thinks fit to order otherwise and so orders, be made out and submitted to the official receiver a statement as to the affairs of the company in the prescribed form, verified by affidavit, and showing the particulars of its assets, debts and liabilities, the names, residence and occupation of its creditors, the securities held by them respectively, the dates when the securities were respectively given and such further or other information as may be prescribed or as the official receiver may require. (2) The statement shall be submitted and verified by one or more of the persons who are at the relevant date the directors and by the person who is at that date the secretary or other senior officer of the company or by such of the persons (hereafter in this subsection referred to as the official receiver), who, subject to the direction of the court, the court may require to submit and verify the statement, that is to say, persons- (a) who are or have been directors or officers of the company; (b) who have taken part in the formation of the company at any time within one year before the relevant date; (c) who are in the employment of the company, or have been in the employment of the company within the year, and are in the opinion of the official receiver capable of giving the information required; (d) who are or have been within the year officers of or in the employment of a company, which is, or within the year was, an officer of the company to which the statement relates. (3) The statement shall be submitted within fourteen days from the relevant date, or within such extended time as the official receiver or the court may for special reasons appoint. (4) Any person making or concurring in making the statement and affidavit required by this section shall be allowed, and shall be paid by the official receiver or provisional liquidator, as the case may be, out of the assets of the company, such costs and expenses incurred in and about the preparation and making of the statement and affidavit as the official receiver may consider reasonable, subject to an appeal to the court. (5) If any person, without reasonable excuse, defaults in complying with the requirements of this section, he shall be guilty of an offence and be liable to a fine of Le.500,000 for each day during which the default continues. (6) Any person stating himself in writing to be a creditor or contributory of the company shall be entitled by himself or by his agent at all reasonable times, on payment of the prescribed fee, to inspect the statement submitted in pursuance of this section, and to a copy thereof or extract from it. (7) Any person untruthfully stating himself to be a creditor or contributory shall be guilty of an offence and be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding Le5,000,000. (8) In this section the expression “the relevant date” means in a case where a provisional liquidator if appointed, the date of
his appointment, and, in a case where no appointment is made, the date of the winding up order. 268 269 Statement of company’s affairs t o official receiver. Actions to be stayed on winding-up order. Effect of winding-up order. Official receiver to be appointed by the Commission.

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009
363. (1) In a case where a winding up order is made, the official
receiver shall, as soon as practicable after receipt of the statement to be submitted under section 362 or, in a case where the court orders that no statement shall be submitted, as soon as practicable after the date of the order, submit a preliminary report to the court- (a) as to the amount of capital issued, subscribed and paid up, and the estimated amount of assets and liabilities; (b) if the company has failed, as to the causes of the failure; and (c) whether in his opinion further enquiry is desirable as to any matter relating to the promotion, formation or failure of the company, or the conduct of the business thereof. (2) The official receiver may also, if he thinks fit, make a further report, or further reports, stating the manner in which the company was formed and whether in his opinion any fraud has been committed by any person in its promotion or formation, or by any director or other officer of the company in relation to the company since its formation, and any other matters which in his opinion it is desirable to bring to the notice of the court. (3) If the official receiver states in such further report that in his opinion a fraud has been committed, the court shall have the further powers provided in sections 393 and 394. Liquidators
364. For the purpose of conducting the proceedings in winding
up a company and performing such duties in reference thereto as the court may impose, the court may appoint a liquidator or liquidators.
365. (1) Subject to this section, the court may appoint a
liquidator provisionally at any time after the presentation of a winding up petition and before the making of a winding up order, and either the Commission or any other fit person may be appointed. (2) Where a liquidator is provisionally appointed by the court, the court may limit and restrict his powers by the order appointing him.
366. The following provisions with respect to liquidators shall
have effect on a winding-up order being made:– (a) the official receiver shall, by virtue of his office become the provisional liquidator and shall continue to act as such until he or another person becomes liquidator and is capable of acting as such; (b) the official receiver shall summon separate meetings of the creditors and contributories of the company for the purpose of determining whether or not an application is to be made to the court for appointing a liquidator in the place of the official receiver; (c) the court may make any appointment and order required to give effect to the determination, and, if there is a difference between the determination of the meetings of the creditors and contributories in respect of the matter, the court shall decide the difference and make such order thereon as the court may think fit; (d) in a case where a liquidator is not appointed by the court, the official receiver shall be the liquidator of the company; (e) the court may determine whether any and what security is to be given by a liquidator on his appointment; (f) the official receiver shall by virtue of his office be the liquidator during any vacancy; (g) a liquidator shall be described, where a person other than the official receiver is liquidator, 270 271 Report by official receiver. Power of court to appoint liquidators. Appointment and powers of provisional liquidators. Appointment, style, etc. of liquidators.

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 by the style of “the liquidator”, and, where the official receiver is liquidator, by the style of “the official receiver and liquidator”, of the particular company in respect of which he is appointed, and not by his individual name.
367. Where in the winding up of a company by the court a
person other than the official receiver is appointed liquidator, that person– (a) shall not be capable of acting as liquidator until he has notified his appointment to the Commission or the court and given security in the prescribed manner to the satisfaction of the Commission; (b) shall give the official receiver such information and access to and facilities for inspecting the books and documents of the company, and generally such aid as may be requisite for enabling that officer to perform his duties under this Act.
368. (1) A liquidator appointed by the court may resign or, on
cause shown , be removed by the court.
(2) Where a person other than the official receiver is appointed liquidator, he shall receive such salary or remuneration by way of percentage or otherwise as the court may direct and, if more of such persons than one are appointed liquidators, their remuneration shall be distributed among them in such proportions as the court directs. (3) A vacancy in the office of a liquidator appointed by the court shall be filled by the court. (4) If more than one liquidator is appointed by the court, the court shall declare whether any act required or authorised by this Act to be done by the liquidator is to be done by all or any one or more of the persons appointed. (5) The acts of a liquidator shall be valid notwithstanding any defects that may afterwards be discovered in his appointment or qualification. (6) Nothing in subsection (5) shall be deemed to give validity to acts done by a liquidator or provisional liquidator after his appointment has been shown to be invalid.
369. Where a winding-up order has been made or where a
provisional liquidator has been appointed, the liquidator or provisional liquidator, as the case may be, shall take into his custody or control all the property and things-in-action to which the company is or appears to be entitled.
370. (1) Where a company is being wound up by the court,
the court may, on the application of the liquidator by order direct that all or any part of the property of whatsoever description belonging to the company or held by trustees on its behalf shall vest in the liquidator in his official name, and thereupon the property to which the order relates shall then vest accordingly. (2) The liquidator may, after giving such indemnity, if any, as the court may direct, bring or defend in his official name any action or other legal proceeding which relates to that property or which is necessary to bring or defend for the purpose of effectively winding up the company and recovering its property.
371. (1) The liquidator in a winding up by the court shall have
power with the sanction either of the court or of the committee of inspection to- (a) bring or defend any action or other legal proceeding in the name and on behalf of the company; (b) carry on the business of the company, so far as may be necessary for the beneficial winding up; (c) appoint a legal practitioner to assist him in the performance of his duties but where the liquidator is a legal practitioner, he shall not appoint his partner; 272 273 Provisions where person other than official receiver is appointed liquidator. General provisions as to liquidators. Custody of company’s property. Vesting of property of company in liquidators. Powers of liquidators.

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (d) pay any class of creditors in full; (e) make any compromise or arrangement with creditors or persons claiming to be creditors, or having or alleging themselves to have any claim, present or future, certain or contingent, ascertained or sounding only in damages against the company, or whereby the company may be rendered liable; (f) compromise all calls and liabilities to calls, debts, and liabilities capable of resulting in debts, and all claims, present or future, certain or contingent, ascertained or sounding only in damages, subsisting or supposed to subsist between the company and contributory, or alleged contributory, or other debtor or person apprehending liability to the company. (2) The liquidator shall have power to– (a) sell the real and personal property and thingsin-action of the company by public auction or private contract, with power to transfer the whole thereof to any person or company, or to sell them in parcels; (b) do all acts and to execute, in the name and on behalf of the company, all deeds, receipts and other documents, and for that purpose to use, when necessary, the company’s seal; (c) prove, rank and claim in the bankruptcy, insolvency or sequestration of any contributory, for any balance against his estate, and to receive dividends in the bankruptcy, insolvency or sequestration in respect of that balance, as a separate debt due from the bankrupt, and rateably with the other separate creditors; (d) draw, accept, make and endorse any bill of exchange or promissory note in the name and on behalf of the company, with the same effect with respect to the liability of the company as if the bill or note had been drawn, accepted, made or endorsed by or on behalf of the company in the course of its business; (e) raise on the security of the assets of the company any money required; (f) take out in his official name letters of administration in respect of the estate of any deceased contributory, and to do in his official name any other act necessary for obtaining a payment of any money due from a contributory or his estate which cannot be conveniently done in the name of the company, and in all such cases the money due shall, for the purpose of enabling the liquidator to take out the letters of administration or recover the money, be deemed to be due to the liquidator himself; but nothing in this paragraph shall be deemed to affect the rights, duties and privileges of the Administrator and Registrar-General; (g) appoint an agent to do any business which the liquidator is unable to do himself; (h) do all such other things as may be necessary for winding up the affairs of the company and distributing its assets. (3) The exercise by the liquidator in a winding up by the court of powers conferred by this section shall be subject to the control of the court, and any creditor or contributory may apply to the court with respect to any exercise or proposed exercise of any of those
powers. (4) The court may order that the liquidator may, where there is no committee of inspection exercise any of the powers specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of subsection (1) without the sanction or intervention of the court. 274 275

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009
372. (1) An account, called the Companies Liquidation
Account, shall be kept by the Commission at the Bank of Sierra Leone and all moneys received by the Commission in respect of proceedings in connection with the winding up of companies shall be paid into that account. (2) All payments out of moneys standing to the credit of the Commission in the Companies Liquidation Account shall be made by the Registrar in the prescribed manner.
373. (1) Subject to this Act, the liquidator of a company which
is being wound up by the court shall, in the administration of the assets of the company and in their distribution among its creditors, have regard to any directions that may be given by resolution of the creditors or contributories at any general meeting, or by the committee of inspection. (2) Directions given by the creditors or contributories at any general meeting shall, in case of conflict be deemed to override any directions given by the committee of inspection. (3) The liquidator may summon general meetings of the creditors or contributories for the purpose of ascertaining their wishes, and it shall be his duty to summon meetings at such times as the creditors or contributories, by resolution, either at the meeting appointing the liquidator or otherwise, may direct, or whenever requested in writing to do so by one-tenth in value of the creditors or contributories, as the case may be. (4) The liquidator may apply to the court in the manner prescribed, for directions in relation to any particular matter arising under the winding up. (5) Subject to this Act, the liquidator shall use his own discretion in the management of the estate and its distribution among the creditors. (6) If any person is aggrieved by any act or decision of the liquidator, that person may apply to the court; and the court may confirm, reverse or modify the act or decision complained of, and make such order as it thinks just.
374. Every liquidator of a company which is being wound up
by the court shall keep, in the manner prescribed, proper books in which he shall cause to be made entries or minutes of proceedings at meetings, and of such other matters as may be prescribed; and any creditor or contributory may, subject to the control of the court, personally or by his agent inspect such books.
375. (1) Every liquidator of a company which is being wound
up by the court shall, in such manner and at such times as the Commission directs, pay the money received by him into the Companies Liquidation Account and the Commission shall furnish him with a certificate of receipt of the money so paid. (2) If the committee of inspection satisfies the official receiver that, for the purpose of carrying on the business of the company, obtaining advances, or for any other reason, it is for the advantage of the creditors or contributories that the liquidator should have an account with any bank, the official receiver shall, on the application of the committee of inspection, authorise the liquidator to make his payments into and out of such bank as the committee may select, and then those payments shall be made in the prescribed manner. (3) If the liquidator at any time retains for more than 10 days a sum exceeding Le.1,000,000 or such other amounts as the official receiver in any particular case authorises him to retain, then, unless he explains the retention to the satisfaction of the official receiver he shall pay interest on the amount so retained in excess, at the rate of twenty percent per annum and the liquidator shall- (a) be liable to a disallowance of all or such part of his remuneration as the official receiver may think just; (b) be removed from his office by the official receiver; and (c) be liable to pay any expenses occasioned by reason of his default. (4) A liquidator of a company which is being wound up by the court shall not pay any sums received by him as liquidator into his private banking account. 276 277 Companies Liuidation Account. Exercise and control of liquidator’s powers. Books to be kept by liquidator. Payments by liquidators into Companies Liquidation Account.

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009
376. (1) Every liquidator of a company which is being wound
up by the court shall, at such times as may be prescribed but not less than twice in each year during his tenure of office, send to the Commission an account of his receipts and payments as liquidator. (2) The account which shall be in the prescribed form, shall be made in duplicate, and shall be verified by a statutory declaration. (3) The Commission shall cause the account to be audited and for the purpose of the audit the liquidator shall furnish the official receiver with such vouchers and information as the Commission may require. (4) The Commission may, at any time require the production of and inspect any books or accounts kept by the liquidator. (5) When the account has been audited, one copy shall be filed and kept by the Commission and the other copy shall be delivered to the court for filing; and each copy shall be open to the inspection of any creditor or any person interested. (6) The Commission shall cause the account when audited or a summary thereof to be printed, and shall send a printed copy of the account or summary by post to every creditor and contributory.
377. (1) The Commission shall take cognisance of the conduct
ofliquidators of companies which are being wound up by the court, and if– (a) a liquidator does not faithfully perform his duties and duly observe all the requirements imposed on him by this Act, rules or otherwise with respect to the performance of his duties; or (b) any complaint is made to the Commission by any creditor or contributory in regard thereto, the Commission shall enquire into the matter, and take such action on it as he may think expedient. (2) The Commission may, at any time require any liquidator of a company which is being wound up by the court to answer any inquiry in relation to any winding up in which he is engaged, and may, if he thinks fit, apply to the court to examine him or any other person on oath concerning the winding up. (3) The Commission may also direct a local investigation to be made of the books and vouchers of the liquidator.
378. (1) When the liquidator of a company which is being
wound up by the court has-
(a) realised all the property of the company, or so much of it as can, in his opinion, be realised without needlessly protracting the liquidation; (b) distributed a final dividend, if any, to the creditors, and adjusted the rights of the contributories among themselves; (c) made a final return, if any, to the contributories; or (d) resigned, or has been removed from his office, the court shall, on his application, cause a report on his accounts to be prepared; and, on his complying with all the requirements the court shall take into consideration the report and any objection which may be urged by any creditor or contributory or person interested against the release of the liquidator, and either grant or withhold the release accordingly. (2) Where the release of a liquidator is withheld, the court may, on the application of any creditor or contributory or person interested, make such order as it thinks just, charging the liquidator with the consequences of any act or default which he may have done or made contrary to his duty. (3) An order of a court releasing the liquidator shall discharge him from all liability in respect of any act done or default made by him in the administration of the affairs of the company, or 278 279 Audit of liquidator’s accounts. Control over liquidators. Release of liquidators.

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 otherwise in relation to his conduct as liquidator, but such order may be revoked on proof that it was obtained by fraud or by suppression or concealment of any material fact. (4) Where the liquidator has not previously resigned or been removed, his release shall operate as a removal of him from his office. Committees of inspection
379. (1) When a winding up order has been made by the court,
it shall be the business of the separate meetings of creditors and contributories summoned for the purpose of determining whether or not– (a) an application shall be made to the court for appointing a liquidator in place of the official receiver; or (b) an application is to be made to the court for the appointment of a committee of inspection to act with the liquidator, and who are to be members of the committee if appointed. (2) The court may make any appointment and order required to give effect to the determination; and if there is a difference between the determinations of the meetings of the creditors and contributories in respect of those matters the court shall decide the difference and make such order as the court may think fit.
380. (1) A committee of inspection appointed pursuant to this
Act shall consist of creditors and contributories of the company or persons holding general powers of attorney from creditors or contributories in such proportions as may be agreed on by the meetings of creditors and contributories, or as, in case of disagreement may be determined by the court. (2) The committee shall meet at such times as they may from time to time appoint and, failing such appointment, at least once a month; and the liquidator or any member of the committee may also call a meeting of the committee as and when he thinks necessary. (3) The committee may act by a majority of its members present at a meeting, but shall not act unless a majority of the committee are present. (4) A member of the committee may resign by notice in writing signed by him and delivered to the liquidator. (5) If a member of the committee becomes bankrupt, or compounds or arranges with his creditors, or is absent from five consecutive meetings of the committee without the leave of those members who together with himself represent the creditors or contributories, as the case may be, his office shall become vacant. (6) A member of the committee may be removed by an ordinary resolution at a meeting of creditors, if he represents creditors or of contributories, if he represents contributories of which seven days’ notice has been given, stating the object of the meeting. (7) On a vacancy occurring in the committee, the liquidator shall summon a meeting of creditors or of contributories, as the case may require, to fill the vacancy; and the meeting may, by resolution, re-appoint the same or appoint another creditor or contributory to fill the vacancy. (8) Notwithstanding subsection (7), if the liquidator, having regard to the position in the winding up is of the opinion that it is unnecessary for the vacancy to be filled, he may apply to the court and the court may make an order that the vacancy be not filled or be not filled except in circumstances specified by the order (9) The continuing members of the committee, if not less than two, may act notwithstanding any vacancy in the committee. (10) If there is no committee of inspection, any act or thing or any direction or permission, authorised or required by this Act to be done or given by the committee may be done or given by the Commission on the application of the liquidator. General powers of court in case of winding up by court
381. (1) The court may at any time after an order for winding
up, on the application either of the liquidator, or the official receiver or any creditor or contributory, and on proof to the satisfaction of the court that all proceedings in the winding up ought to be stayed, make an order staying the proceedings, either altogether or for a limited time, on such terms and conditions as the court thinks fit. 280 281 Meetings to consider appointment of committee of inspection. Constitution and proceedings of committee of inspection. Power to stay winding up.

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (2) On any application under this section the court may, before making an order, require the official receiver to furnish to the court a report with respect to any facts or matters which are in his opinion relevant to the application. (3) A copy of every order under this section shall be forwarded by the company or otherwise as may be prescribed, to the Commission, which shall enter it in its records relating to the company.
382. (1) As soon as may be after making a winding-up order,
the court shall settle a list of contributories, with power to rectify the register of members in all cases where rectification is required by this Act, and shall cause the assets of the company to be collected, and applied in the discharge of its liabilities. (2) Where it appears to the court that it will not be necessary to make calls on or adjust the rights of contributories, the court may dispense with the settlement of a list of contributories. (3) In settling the list of contributories, the court shall distinguish between persons who are contributories in their own right and persons who are contributories as being representatives of or liable for the debts of others.
383. The court may, at any time after making a winding up order,
require any contributory for the time being on the list of contributories, and any trustee, receiver, banker, agent or officer of the company to pay, deliver, convey, surrender or transfer forthwith, or within such time as the court directs, to the liquidator any money, property or books and papers in his hands to which the company is prima facie entitled.
384. (1) The court may, at any time after making a winding up
order, require any contributory for the time being on the list of contributories to pay, in the manner directed by the order, any money due from him or from the estate of the person whom he represents to the company, exclusive of any money payable by him or the estate by virtue of any call in pursuance of this Act. (2) The court may, in making an order– (a) in the case of an unlimited company, allow to the contributory by way of set-off any money due to him or to the estate which he represents from the company any independent dealing or contract with the company, but not any money due to him as a member of the company in respect of any dividend or profit; and (b) in the case of a limited company, make to any director or manager whose liability is unlimited or to his estate the same allowance. (3) In the case of any company, whether limited or unlimited, when all the creditors are paid in full, any money due on any account whatever to a contributory from the company may be allowed to him by way of set-off against any subsequent call.
385. (1) The court may, at any time after making a winding up
order, and either before or after it has ascertained the sufficiency of the assets of the company, make calls on all or any of the contributories for the time being settled on the list of the contributories to the extent of their liability, for the payment of any money which the court considers necessary to satisfy the debts and liabilities of the company, and the costs, charges and expenses of winding up, and for the adjustment of the rights of the contributories among themselves, and make an order for payment of any call so made. (2) In making a call, the court may take into consideration the probability that some of the contributories may partly or wholly fail to pay the call.
386. (1) The court may order any contributory, purchaser or
other person from whom money is due to the company to pay the amount into the Companies Liquidation Account to the account of the liquidator instead of to the liquidator, and the order may be enforced in the same manner as if it had directed payment to the liquidator. 282 283 Settlement of lists of contributories and application of assets. Delivery of property to liquidators. Payments of debts due by contributories to company and extent to which set off allawed. Power of court to make calls. Payment into Companies liquidation Account of moneys due to companies.

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (2) All moneys and securities paid or delivered into the Companies Liquidation Account in the event of a winding up by the court shall be subject in all respects to the orders of the court.
387. (1) An order made by the court on a contributory shall,
subject to any right of appeal, be conclusive evidence that the money, if any, thereby appearing to be due or ordered to be paid is due. (2) All other pertinent matters stated in the order shall be taken to be truly stated as against all persons and in all proceedings whatsoever.
388. (1) Where in proceedings the official receiver becomes
the liquidator of a company, whether provisionally or otherwise, he may, if satisfied that the nature of the estate or business of the company, or the interests of the creditors or contributories generally, require the appointment of a special manager of the estate or business of the company other than himself, apply to the court for an order to that effect. (2) The court may, on the application, appoint a special manager of the company’s estate or business to act during such time as the court may direct, with such powers, including any of the powers of a receiver or manager, as may be entrusted to him by the court. (3) The special manager shall give such security and account in such manner as the court shall direct. (4) The special manager shall receive such remuneration as may be fixed by the court.
389. The court may fix a time or times within which creditors are
to prove their debts or claims, or to be excluded from the benefit of any distribution made before those debts are proved.
390. The court shall adjust the rights of the contributories
among themselves, and distribute any surplus among the persons entitled to it.
391. (1) The court may, at any time after making a winding up
order, make such order for inspection of the books and papers of the company by creditors and contributories as the court thinks just, and any books and papers in the possession of the company may be inspected by the creditors or contributories accordingly, but not further or otherwise. (2) Nothing in this section shall be taken to exclude or restrict any statutory rights of a government department or person acting under the authority of a government department
392. The court may, in the event of the assets being insufficient
to satisfy the liabilities, make an order as to the payment out of the assets of the costs, charges and expenses incurred in the winding up in such order of priority as the court thinks just.
393. (1) The court may, at any time after the appointment of a
provisional liquidator or the making of a winding up order, summon before it any officer of the company or person known or suspected to have in his possession any property of the company or supposed to be indebted to the company, or any person whom the court thinks capable of giving information, concerning the promotion, formation, trade, dealings, affairs or property of the company. (2) The court may examine the officer or other person on oath concerning those matters, either orally or on written interrogatories, and may reduce his answers to writing and require him to sign them. (3) The court may require the officer or other person to produce any books and papers in his custody or power relating to the company, but, where he claims any lien on books or papers produced by him, the production shall be without prejudice to that lien, and the court shall have jurisdiction in the winding up to determine all questions relating to that lien. (4) If any person so summoned, after being given a reasonable sum for his expenses, refuses to come before the court at the time appointed, not having a lawful impediment (made known to the court at the time of its sitting, and allowed by it), the court may cause him to be apprehended and brought before it for examination, 284 285 Order on contributory to be conclusive evidence. Appointment of special manager. Power to exclude creditors not proving in time. Adjustment of rights of contributories. Inspection of books by creditors and contributories. Costs of winding up to be paid out of assets. Summoning of persons suspected of having property of company.

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009
394. In the winding up by the court of a company the court may
require the attendance of any director or other officer of the company at any meeting of creditors or of contributories or of a committee of inspection, for the purpose of giving information as to the trade, dealings, affairs or property of the company.
395. (1) Where an order has been made for winding up a
company by the court and the official receiver has made a further report under this Act stating that in his opinion a fraud has been committed by any person in the promotion or formation of the company, or by any director or other officer of the company in relation to the company since its formation, the court may, after consideration of the report, direct that that person, director or other officer shall attend before the court on a day appointed by the court for that purpose, and be publicly examined as to the promotion or formation or the conduct of the business of the company, or as to his conduct and dealings as director or officer of it. (2) The official receiver shall take part in the examination, and may for that purpose, if specifically authorised by the court in that behalf, employ a legal practitioner. (3) The liquidator, where the official receiver is not the liquidator, and any creditor or contributory, may also take part in the examination either personally or by his counsel. (4) The court may put such questions to the person examined as the court thinks fit. (5) The person examined shall be examined on oath, and shall answer all questions the court may put or allow to be put to him. (6) A person ordered to be examined under this section shall at his own cost before his examination, be furnished with a copy of the official receiver’s report, and may at his own cost employ a legal practitioner who shall be at liberty to put to him such questions as the court may think just for the purpose of enabling him to explain or qualify any answers given by him. (7) If a person applies to the court to be exculpated from any charges made or suggested against him, it shall be the duty of the official receiver to appear on the hearing of the application and call the attention of the court to any matters which appear to the official receiver to be relevant; and if the court, after hearing any evidence given or witnesses called by the official receiver, grants the application, the court may allow the applicant such costs as in its discretion it thinks fit. (8) Notes of the person’s public examination shall be taken down in writing , and shall be read over to or by, and signed by, the person examined, and may be used in evidence against him, and shall be open to the inspection of any creditor or contributory at all reasonable times. (9) The court may, if it thinks fit, adjourn the examination from time to time. (10) An examination under this section may, if the court so directs and subject to general rules, be held before any magistrate and the powers of the court under this section as to the conduct of the examination may be exercised by the person before the examination is held.
396. (1) Where an order has been made for winding up a
company by the court, and the official receiver has made a further report under this Act stating that, in his opinion, a fraud has been committed by a person in the promotion or formation of the company, or by any director or other officer of the company in relation to the company since its formation, the court may, on the application of the official receiver, order that that person, director or officer shall not, without the leave of the court, be a director of or in any way, whether directly or indirectly, be concerned in or take part in the management of a company for such period, not exceeding 5 years, from the date of the report as may be specified in the order. (2) The official receiver shall, where he intends to make an application under subsection (1), give not less than 10 days’ notice of his intention to the person charged with fraud, and on the hearing of the application that person may appear and himself give evidence or call witnesses. 286 287 Attendance of directors of company at meetings of creditors, etc. Public examination of promoters, directors, etc. Power to restrain fraudulent persons from managing companies.

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (3) It shall be the duty of the official receiver to- (a) appear on the hearing of an application by him of an order under this section and on an application for leave under this section; and (b) call the attention of the court to any matters which appear to him to be relevant, and on such application the official receiver may himself give evidence or call witnesses. (4) If any person acts in contravention of an order made under this section he shall be guilty of an offence and shall, in respect of each offence, be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding Le5,000,000 or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding 2 years or to both the fine and imprisonment. (5) This section shall have effect notwithstanding that the person concerned may be criminally liable in respect of the matters on the ground of which the order is to be made.
397. The court may, at any time either before or after making a
winding up order, on proof of probable cause for believing that a contributory is about to leave Sierra Leone, or otherwise to abscond, or to remove or conceal any of his property for the purpose of evading payment of calls, or of avoiding examination respecting the affairs of the company, cause the contributory to be arrested, and his books and papers and movable personal property to be seized, and safely kept until such time as the court may order.
398. Any powers conferred by this Act on the court shall be in
addition to and not in restriction of any existing powers of instituting proceedings against any contributory or debtor of the company, or the estate of the contributory or debtor, for the recovery of any call or other sums.
399. (1) When the affairs of a company have been completely
wound up, the court shall make an order that the company be dissolved from the date of the order, and the company shall be dissolved accordingly. (2) The order shall, within 14 days from the date of its making, be reported by the liquidator to the Commission which shall make in its books a minute of the dissolution of the company. (3) If the liquidator defaults in complying with the requirements of this section, he shall be guilty of an offence and be liable to a fine of Le500,000 for each day during which he is in default. Enforcement of and appeal from orders
400. All orders made by the court under this Part may be enforced
in the same manner in which orders of such court made in any suit pending before it is carried out.
401. Appeals from any order or decision made or given in the
matter of winding up of a company by the court may be made in the same manner and subject to the same conditions as appeals from any order or decision of the court in cases within its ordinary jurisdiction. Voluntary winding-up
402. (1) A company may be wound up voluntarily-
(a) when the period, if any, fixed for the duration of the company by the articles expires, or the event, if any, occurs, on the occurrence of which the articles provide that the company is to be dissolved, and the company in general meeting has passed a resolution requiring the company to be wound-up voluntarily; (b) if the company resolves by special resolution that the company be wound up voluntarily; (c) if the company resolves by special resolution to the effect that it cannot by reason of its liabilities continue its business, and that it is advisable to wind up. 288 289 Power to arrest absconding contributory. Powers of court cumulative. Dissolution of company. Enforcement of orders Appeals from orders Circumstances in which company may be wound up voluntarily.

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (2) In this Part the expression “a resolution for voluntary winding up” means a resolution passed under any of the provisions of subsection (1).
403. (1) When a company has passed a resolution for
voluntarywinding-up, it shall, within 14 days after the passing of the resolution, give notice of the resolution, by advertisement in the Gazette and also in a local newspaper, if any, circulating in the district where the registered office of the company is situated. (2) If default is made in complying with subsection (1), the company and every officer of the company who is in default shall be liable to a default fine, and for the purposes of this subsection the liquidator of the company shall be deemed to be an officer of the company.
404. A voluntary winding up shall be deemed to commence at
the time of the passing of the resolution for voluntary winding up. Consequences of voluntary winding up
405. In a case of a voluntary winding up, the company shall,
from the commencement of the winding-up, cease to carry on its business, except so far as may be required for the beneficial windingup; but the corporate status and powers of the company shall, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in its articles, continue until it is dissolved.
406. Any transfer of shares, not being a transfer made to or with
the sanction of the liquidator, and any alteration in the status of the members of the company, made after the commencement of a voluntary winding up, shall be void. Declaration of solvency
407. (1) Where it is proposed to wind up a company
voluntarily, the directors may (or in the case of a company having more than two directors, the majority of them) at a directors’ meeting make a statutory declaration to the effect that they have made a full inquiry into the company’s affairs and that they have formed the opinion that the company will be able to pay its debts in full within such period, not exceeding 12 months from the commencement of the winding up, as may be specified in the declaration. (2) A declaration by the directors has no effect for the purposes of this Act unless– (a) it is made within the 5 weeks immediately preceding the date of the passing of the resolution for winding up, or on that date but before the passing of the resolution; (b) it embodies a statement of the company’s assets and liabilities as at the latest practicable date before the making of the declaration; and (c) it is delivered to the Commission before the expiration of 15 days immediately following the date on which the resolution for the winding up is passed or such further date as may be determined by the Commission. (3) A director making a declaration under this section without having reasonable grounds for the opinion that the company will be able to pay its debts in full within the specified period shall be guilty of an offence and be liable to a fine not exceeding Le.5,000,000 or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding 6 months or to both the fine and imprisonment. (4) If the company is wound up in pursuance of a resolution passed within 5 weeks after the making of the declaration and its debts are not paid or provided for in full within the period specified, it shall be presumed (unless the contrary is shown) that the director did not have reasonable grounds for his opinion.
408. A winding-up in the case where a director’s statutory
declaration under section 407 has been made is a “members’ voluntary winding up”; and a winding up in the case of which such a declaration has not been made is a “creditors ‘ voluntary winding up”. 290 291 Notices of resolutions to wind up voluntarily. Commencement of voluntary winding up. Effect of voluntary winding-up on business and status of company. Avoidance of transfers, etc., after commencement of voluntary winding up. Statutory declaration of solvency. Distinction between “members” and “creditors” voluntary winding-up.

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 Provisions applicable to a members’ voluntary winding up
409. Sections 410 to 416 shall only apply in relation to a members’
voluntary winding-up.
410. (1) The company in general meeting shall appoint one or
more liquidators for the purpose of winding up the affairs and distributing the assets of the company, and may fix the remuneration to be paid to him or them. (2) On the appointment of a liquidator all the powers of the directors shall cease, except so far as the company in general meeting, or the liquidator, sanctions the continuance of such powers.
411. (1) If a vacancy occurs by death, resignation or otherwise
in the office of liquidator appointed by the company, the company in general meeting may, subject to any arrangement with its creditors, fill the vacancy. (2) For the purpose of filling a vacancy, a general meeting may be convened by any contributory or, if there were more liquidators than one by the continuing liquidators. (3) The meeting shall be held in the manner provided by this Act or by the articles, or in such manner as may, on application by any contributory or by the continuing liquidators, be determined by the court.
412. (1) The following applies where a company is proposed
to be,or is being, wound up voluntarily, and the whole or part of its business or property is proposed to be transferred or sold to another company (“ the transferee company”), whether or not this latter is a company within the meaning of this Act. (2) The liquidator of the company to be, or being, wound up(“the transferor company ”) may, with the sanction of a special resolution of that company, conferring either a general authority on himself or an authority in respect of any particular arrangement, receive, in compensation or part compensation for the transfer or sale of shares, policies or other like interests in the transferee company for distribution among the members of the transferor company. (3) Without prejudice to subsection (2) the liquidator may, with the sanction of a special resolution, enter into any other arrangement whereby the members of the transferor company may, in lieu of receiving cash, shares, policies, or other like interests (or in addition), participate in the profits of, or receive any other benefit from, the transferee company. (4) A sale or arrangement in pursuance of this section is binding on members of the transferor company. (5) If a member of the transferor company who did not vote in favour of the special resolution expresses his dissent from it in writing addressed to the liquidator, and left at the company’s registered office within 7 days after the passing of the resolution, he may require the liquidator either to abstain from carrying the resolution into effect or to purchase his interest at a price to be determined by agreement or by arbitration in the manner provided by any enactment regulating arbitration. (6) If the liquidator elects to purchase the member’s interest, the purchase money shall be paid before the company is dissolved and be raised by the liquidator in such manner as may be determined by special resolution. (7) A special resolution shall not be invalid for the purposes of this section by reason that it is passed before or concurrently with a resolution for voluntary winding-up or for appointing liquidators; but, if an order is made within a year for winding up the company by or subject to the supervision of the court the special resolution shall not be valid unless sanctioned by the court.
413. (1) If the liquidator is at any time of the opinion that the
company will not be able to pay its debts in full within the period stated in the directors’ declaration under section 407, he shall forthwith summon a meeting of the creditors and shall lay before the meeting a statement of the company’s assets and liabilities. (2) If the liquidator fails to comply with subsection (1) he shall be guilty of an offence and be liable to a fine not exceeding Le5,000,000 292 293 Provisions applicable to members’ winding-up. Powers of company to appoint and fix remuneration of liquidators. Power to fill vacancies in office of liquidator. Power of liquidator to accept shares as consideration for sale of company’s property. Creditors’ meeting in case of insolvency.

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009
414. (1) As soon as the company’s affairs are fully wound up
the liquidator shall make up an account of the winding-up, showing how it has been conducted and the company’s property has been disposed of, and shall call a general meeting of the company and a meeting of the creditors for the purpose of laying the accounts before the meeting and giving an explanation of it. (2) The meeting shall be called by advertisement in the Gazette and in a newspaper, specifying its time, place and object and published at least one month before the meeting. (3) Within one week after the meeting, the liquidator shall send to the Commission a copy of the account, and shall make a return to it of the holding of the meeting and of its date; and if the copy is not sent or the return is not made in accordance with this subsection the liquidator is liable to a default fine. (4) If a quorum is not present at the meeting, the liquidator shall, in lieu of the return referred to in subsection (3), make a return that the meeting was duly summoned and that no quorum was present; and upon such a return being made, the provisions of subsection (3) as to the making of the return are deemed complied with. (5) The Commission, on receiving the account and either of these returns shall forthwith register them, and on the expiration of 3 months from the registration of the return the company is deemed to be dissolved; but the court may, on the application of the liquidator or of any other person who appears to the court to be interested, make an order deferring the date at which the dissolution of the company is to take effect for such time as the court thinks fit. (6) It is the duty of the person on whose application an order of the court, under this section is made within 7 days after the making of the order to deliver to the Commission an office copy of the order for registration; and if that person fails to do so he is liable to a default fine. (7) If the liquidator fails to call a general meeting of the company as required by subsection (1), he is liable to a default fine.
415. (1) Where section 413 has effect, section 422 applies to
the winding up to the exclusion of section 414 as if the winding up were a creditors’ winding up and not a members’ voluntary winding up. (2) The liquidator is not required to summon a meeting of creditors under section 422 at the end of the first year from the commencement of the winding up, unless the meeting held under
section 414 is held more than 3 months before the end of that year.
416. (1) The liquidator in a members’ voluntary winding-up
shall keep proper records and books of account with respect to his acts and dealings and of the conduct of the winding up and of all receipts and payments by him and so long as he carries on the business of the company, he shall keep a distinct account of the trading. (2) In the event of the winding up continuing for more than a year, the liquidator shall– (a) summon a general meeting of the company at the end of the first year from the commencement of the winding up and of each succeeding year, or at the first convenient date within 3 months of the end of the year or such longer period as the Commission may allow; and (b) lay before the meeting an account of his acts and dealings and of the conduct of the winding up during the preceding year and of the trading during such time as the business of the company has been carried on, and within 28days thereafter shall send a copy of the accounts to the Commission for registration. (3) So soon as the affairs of the company are fully wound up, the liquidator shall prepare and send to every member of the company final accounts of the winding up showing– 294 295 Final meeting and dissolution of companies. Alternative provision as to company meeting in case of insolvency. Books and accounts during members’ voluntary winding up.

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (a) how the winding up has been conducted; (b) the result of the trading during such time as the business of the company has been carried on; and (c) how the property of the company has been disposed of, and shall then convene a general meeting of the company for the purpose of laying before it the accounts and of giving an explanation of the accounts. (4) Within 28 days after the meeting referred to in subsection (3), the liquidator shall send to the Commission for registration copies of the accounts laid before the meeting and a statement of the holding of the meeting and of its date. (5) If a quorum was not present at the meeting the liquidator, in lieu of the statement made under subsection (4), shall send a statement that the meeting was duly convened and that no quorum was present at the meeting. (6) The records, books and accounts referred to in this
section shall be in such form if any, as the Commission may prescribe
and shall give a true and fair view of the matters therein recorded and of the administration of the company’s affairs and of the winding up. (7) The accounts referred to in subsections (2) and (3) shall be audited by the auditor of the company prior to being laid before the company in general meeting in accordance with subsections (2) and (3) and the auditors shall state in a report annexed to the accounts whether, in their opinion and to the best of their information– (a) they have obtained all the information and explanations necessary for the purpose of their audit. (b) proper books and records have been maintained by the liquidator in accordance with this Act, and the accounts are in accordance with the books and records and give all the information required by this Act in the manner required and give a true and fair view of the matters stated in the accounts. (8) The audit and auditors’ report shall not be required if- (i) the liquidator, or one of the liquidators if more than one, is duly qualified under this Act for appointment as auditor of a public company; and (ii) on or after his appointment as liquidator, the company resolved by special resolution that the amounts shall not be audited in accordance with this subsection. (9) A meeting required to be convened under this section shall be convened and held, so far as may be, in accordance with this Act and the regulations of the company relating to general meetings. (10) The liquidator shall preserve the books and papers of the company and of the liquidator for a period of 5 years from the dissolution of the company but thereafter may destroy the books and papers unless the Commission otherwise directs, in which event he shall not destroy the books and papers until the Commission consents in writing, (11) If a liquidator fails to comply with any of the provisions of this section, he shall be guilty of an offence and be liable to a fine not exceeding Le.500,000 for each default. Provisions applicable to creditors’ voluntary winding up
417. (1) The company shall give at least 7 days’ notice of the
company meeting at which the resolution for voluntary winding up is to be proposed. (2) Subsection (1) applies notwithstanding any power of the members, or of any particular majority of the members, to exclude or waive any other requirement of this Act or the company’s articles with respect to the period of notice to be given of any company meeting. 296 297 Meeting of creditors.

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (3) The company shall, in addition– (a) cause a meeting of its creditors to be summoned for the day, or the day next following the day, on which the company meeting is to be held; (b) cause notice of the creditors’ meeting to be advertised once in the Gazette and once at least in two local newspapers circulating in the locality in which the company’s registered office or its principal place of business is situated. (4) The directors of the company shall– (a) cause a full statement of the position of the company’s affairs, together with a list of its creditors and the estimated amount of their claims, to be laid before the creditors’ meeting; and (b) appoint one of their number to preside at the meeting; and it shall be the duty of the director so appointed to attend the meeting and preside at it. (5) If the company meeting at which the resolution for voluntary winding up is to be proposed is adjourned and the resolution is passed at an adjourned meeting, any resolution passed at the creditors’, meeting held under subsection (2) shall have effect as if it had been passed immediately after the passing of the resolution for voluntary winding up. (6) If default is made– (a) by the company in complying with subsections (1) and (3); (b) by the directors in complying with subsection (4); (c) by any director in complying with subsection (5), the company, the directors or the director ( as the case may be) is or are liable to a fine not exceeding Le.5,000,000; and in the case of default by the company, every officer of the company who is in default is also so liable to the same penalty. (7) Failure to give notice of the company meeting as required by subsection (1) does not affect the validity of any resolution passed or other thing done at that meeting which would be valid apart from that subsection.
418. (1) The creditors and the company at their respective
meetings may nominate a person to be liquidator for the purpose of winding up the affairs and distributing the assets of the company, and if– (a) the creditors and the company nominate different persons , the person nominated by the creditors shall be liquidator; (b) no person is nominated by the creditors the person, if any, nominated by the company shall be liquidator. (2) Where different persons are nominated, any director, member or creditor of the company may, within 7 days after the date on which the nomination was made by the creditors, apply to the court for an order either directing that the person nominated as liquidator by the company shall be liquidator instead of or jointly with the person nominated by the creditors, or appointing some other person to be liquidator instead of the person appointed by the creditors.
419. (1) The creditors, at the meeting to be held in pursuance
of section 417 or at any subsequent meeting, may, if they think fit, appoint a committee of inspection consisting of not more than 5 persons; and if the committee is appointed the company may, either at the meeting at which the resolution for voluntary winding up is passed or at any time subsequently in general meeting, appoint such number of persons as they think fit to act as members of the committee not exceeding five in number. 298 299 Appointment of liquidator. Appointment of committee of inspection.

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (2) A committee of inspection shall consist of creditors and contributories of the company or persons holding general powers of attorney from creditors or contributories in such proportions as may be agreed on by the meetings of creditors and contributories, or as, in case of differences, may be determined by the court . (3) The creditors may, if they think fit, resolve that all or any of the persons so appointed by the company ought not be members of the committee of inspection and, if creditors so resolve, the persons mentioned in the resolution shall not, unless the court under this provision, if it thinks fit, appoint other persons to act as such members in place of the persons mentioned in the resolution. (4) Proceedings of a committee of inspection shall be conducted in the prescribed manner.
420. (1) The committee of inspection, or if there is no
committee, the creditors, may fix the remuneration to be paid to the liquidator or liquidators. (2) On the appointment of the committee of inspection, or if there is no committee, the creditors, may, sanction the continuance of such powers.
421. If a vacancy occurs by death, resignation or otherwise, in
the office of a liquidator, appointed by the company, the company in general meeting may, subject to any arrangement with the creditors fill the vacancy.
422. (1) If the winding up continues for more than one year,
the liquidator shall summon a general meeting of the company and a meeting of creditors– (a) at the end of the first year from the commencement of the winding up, and of each succeeding year; or (b) at the first convenient date within 3 months from the end of the year or such longer period as the Commission may allow, and shall lay before the meetings an account of his acts and dealings and of the conduct of the winding up during the preceding year. (2) If a liquidator fails to comply with subsection (1) he shall be guilty of an offence and be liable to a fine not exceeding Le5,000,000 Provisions applicable to voluntary winding up
423. Subject to this Act as to preferential payments, the property
of a company shall, on its winding up, be applied in satisfaction of its liabilities pari passu, and, subject to such application, shall, unless the articles otherwise.provide, be distributed among the members according to their rights and interests in the company.
424. (1) The liquidator may–
(a) in the case of a members’ voluntary winding up, with the sanction of a special resolution of the company, and (b) in the case of a creditors’ voluntary winding up, with the sanction of the court or the committee of inspection (or, if there is no such committee, a meeting of the creditors), exercise any of the powers given by paragraphs (d), (e), and (f) of subsection (1) of section 371 to a liquidator in a winding up by the court. (2) The liquidator may, without sanction, exercise any of the other powers given by this Act to the liquidator in a winding up by the court. (3) The liquidator may– (a) exercise the court’s power of settling a list of contributories and the list shall be prima facie evidence of the liability of the persons named in it to be contributories; (b) exercise the court’s power of making calls; (c) summon general meetings of the company for the purpose of obtaining its sanction by special resolution or for any other purpose he may think fit. 300 301 Fixing of liquidators’ remuneration and cesser of directors’ powers. Power to fill vacancy in office of liquidator. Liquidator to call meetings of company and others at the end of each year. Distribution of property of company. Powers and duties of liquidator in voluntary. winding up

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (4) The liquidator shall pay the company’s debts and adjust the rights of the contributories among themselves. (5) When several liquidators are appointed, any power given by this Act may be exercised by any one or more of them as may be determined at the time of their appointment or, in default of such determination, by any number not less than two.
425. (1) If from any cause whatever there is no liquidator
acting, the court may appoint a liquidator.
(2) The court may, on cause shown, remove a liquidator and appoint another liquidator.
426. (1) The liquidator shall,within 21 days after his
appointment, deliver to the Commission for registration a notice of his appointment in a form prescribed by the Commission. (2) If the liquidator fails to comply with subsection (1) he shall be guilty of an offence and be liable to a fine of Le.500,000 for each day that the default continues.
427. (1) Any arrangement entered into between a company
about to to be, or is in the course of being wound up and its creditors shall, subject to the right of appeal under this section, be binding- (a) on the company if sanctioned by an extraordinary resolution, and (b) on the creditors if acceded to by three-fourths in number and value of the creditors. (2) Any creditor or contributory may, within 3 weeks from the completion of the arrangement, appeal to the court against it and the court may, as it thinks just, amend, vary or confirm the arrangement.
428. (1) The liquidator or any contributory or creditor may
apply to the court to determine any question arising in the winding up of a company, or to exercise, as respects the enforcing of calls, or any other matter, all or any of the powers which the court might exercise if the company were being wound up by the court. (2) The court, if satisfied that the determination of the question or the required exercise of power will be just and beneficial, may accede wholly or partially to the application on such terms and conditions as it thinks fit, or may make such other order on the application as it thinks just. (3) A copy of an order made by virtue of this section staying the proceedings in the winding up shall be forwarded by the company or otherwise as may be prescribed, to the Commission , which shall enter it in its records relating to the company.
429. All costs, charges, and expenses properly incurred in the
winding up, including the remuneration of the liquidator, shall be payable out of the assets of the company in priority to all other claims.
430. The winding up of a company shall not bar the right of any
creditor or contributory to have it wound up by the court; but in the case of an application by a contributory, the court must be satisfied that the rights of the contributories will not be prejudiced by a voluntary winding up. Winding up subject to supervision of court
431. When a company has passed a resolution for voluntary
winding up, the court may make an order that the voluntary winding up shall continue but subject to the supervision of the court, and with such liberty for creditors, contributories or others to apply to the court, and generally on such terms and conditions, as the court thinks just.
432. A petition for the continuance of a voluntary winding up
subject to the supervision of the court shall, for the purpose of giving jurisdiction to the court be deemed to be a petition for winding up by the court.
433. A winding up subject to the supervision of the court shall,
for the purposes of sections 355 and 356, be deemed to be a winding up by the court. 302 303 Appointment and removal of liquidator in voluntary winding up. Notice by liquidator of his appointment. Arrangement when binding on creditors. Power to apply to court to have questions determined or powers exercised. Application of sections 355 and 356 to winding-up subject to supervision of court. Effect of petition for winding up subject to supervision. Power to order winding up subject to supervision. Saving of rights of creditors and contributories. Cost of voluntary winding up.

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009
434. (1) Where an order is made for a winding up subject to
supervision, the court may, by that or any subsequent order appoint any additional liquidator. (2) A liquidator so appointed shall have the same powers, is subject to the same obligations, and in all respects stands in the same position as if he had been duly appointed in accordance with this Act in respect of the appointment of liquidators in a voluntary winding up.
435. (1) Where an order is made for a winding up subject to
supervision, the liquidator may, subject to any restrictions imposed by the court, exercise all his powers, without the court’s sanction or intervention, in the same manner as if the company were being wound up altogether voluntarily. (2) The powers specified in paragraphs (d), (e) and (f) of subsection (1) of section 371 shall not be exercised by the liquidator except with the sanction or intervention, in the same manner as if the company were being wound up altogether voluntarily. (3) A winding up subject to the supervision of the court is not a winding up by the court for the purposes of the Eighth
Schedule but, subject to this Act an order for a winding up subject to
supervision is deemed to be for all purposes an order for winding up by the court. (4) Where the order for winding up subject to supervision was made in relation to a creditors’ voluntary winding up in which a committee of inspection had been appointed, the order is deemed an order for winding up by the court for the purposes of section 398, except in so far as the operation of those provisions is excluded in a voluntary winding up by general rules. (5) In this section “relevant date” means such date as may be fixed by the Minister by statutory instrument. Provisions applicable to every mode of winding-up, proof and ranking of claims
436. (1) In every winding-up (subject, in the case of insolvent
companies, to the application in accordance with this Act of the law of bankruptcy) all debts payable on a contingency and all claims against the company, present or future, certain or contingent, ascertained or sounding only in damages, are admissible to proof against the company. (2) A just estimate is to be made (so far as possible) of the value of such debts or claims as may be subject to any contingency or sounding only in damages, or for some other reason do not bear a certain value.
437. In the winding-up of an insolvent company incorporated
in Sierra Leone the same rules shall apply and be observed with regard to the respective rights of secured and unsecured creditors and to debts provable and to the valuation of annuities and future and contingent liabilities as are in force for the time being under the law of bankruptcy in Sierra Leone with respect to the estates of persons adjudged bankrupt; and all persons who in such case would be entitled to prove and receive dividends out of the assets of the company may come in under the winding-up and make such claims against the company as they respectively are entitled to by virtue of this section.
438. (1) In a winding up there shall be paid in priority to all
other debts–
(a) all taxes and rates whether payable to the Government or to a local council, due from the company at the relevant date and having become due and payable within 12 months next before that date; (b) deductions under the National Social Security and Insurance Trust Act, 2001; (c) all wages or salaries of– 304 305 Appointment and removal of liquidators. Effect supervision order. Debts of all descriptions may be proved. Application of bankruptcy rules in certain cases. Preferential payments. Act No. 4 of 2001.

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (i) any clerk or servant whether or not earned in part by way of commission; and (ii) any workman or labourer in respect of services rendered to the company during a period of 12 months next before the relevant date; but where any labourer has entered into a contract for the payment of a portion of his wages in a lump sum at the end of the year of hiring, he shall have priority in respect of the whole of such sum, or a part as the court may decide to be due under the contract, proportionate to the time of service up to the relevant date; (e) unless the company is being wound up voluntarily merely for the purposes of reconstruction or of amalgamation with another company or unless the company has at the commencement of the winding up under such a contract with insurers as is mentioned in section 28 of the Workmen’s Compensation Act, rights capable of being transferred to and vested in the workman, all amounts due in respect of any compensation or liability for compensation under the Workmen’s compensation Act accrued before the relevant date. (2) Where any compensation under the Workmen’s Compensation Act is a weekly payment, the amount due in respect thereof shall, for the purposes of paragraph (c) of subsection (1) be taken to be the amount of the lump sum for which the weekly payment could, if redeemable, be redeemed if the employer made an application for that purpose under that Act. (3) Where any payment on account of wages or salary has been made to any clerk, servant, workman or labourer in the employment of a company out of money advanced by some person for that purpose, that person shall, in a winding up have a right of priority in respect of the money so advanced and paid up to the amount by which the sum in respect of which that clerk, servant, workman or labourer would have been entitled to priority in the winding up has been diminished by reason of the payment having been made. (4) The debts referred to in subsection (1) shall– (a) rank equally among themselves and be paid in full, unless the assets are insufficient to meet them, in which case they shall abate in equal proportions; and (b) so far as the assets of the company available for payment of general creditors are insufficient to meet them, have priority over the claims of holders of debentures under any floating charge created by the company, and be paid accordingly out of any property comprised in or subject to that charge. (5) Subject to the retention of such sums as may be necessary for the costs and expenses of the winding up, the debts referred to in subsection (1) shall be discharged forthwith so far as the assets are sufficient to meet them. (6) In the event of a landlord or other person distraining or having distrained on any goods or effects of the company within three months next before the date of a winding-up order, the debts to which priority is given by this section shall be a first charge on the goods or effects
so distrained on, or the proceeds of the sale, and in respect of any money paid under the charge, the landlord or other person shall have the same rights or priority as the person to whom the payment is made. (7) In this section the expression “the relevant date” means– (a) in the case of a company ordered to be wound up compulsorily which had not previously commenced to be wound up voluntarily, the date of the winding-up order; and 306 307 Cap 219 Cap 219

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (b) in any other case, the date of the commencement of the winding-up. Effect of winding-up on antecedent and other transactions
439. (1) Any conveyance, mortgage, delivery of goods,
payment, execution or other act relating to property which would, if made or done by or against an individual, be deemed in his bankruptcy a fraudulent preference, shall, if made or done by or against a company, be deemed, in the event of its being wound up, a fraudulent preference of its creditors, and be voidable. (2) For the purposes of this section, the presentation of a petition for winding up in the case of a winding up by or subject to the supervision of the court and a resolution for winding up, shall be deemed to correspond with the act of bankruptcy in the case of an individual. (3) Any conveyance or assignment by a company of all its property to trustees for the benefit of all its creditors shall be void.
440. (1) Where anything made or done after the
commencement of this Act is void under section 439 as a fraudulent preference of a person interested in property mortgaged or charged to secure the company’s debt– (a) the person preferred shall, without prejudice to any liabilities or rights apart from this
section, be subject to the same liabilities and
have the same rights, as if he had undertaken to be personally liable as surety for the debt to the extent of the charge on the property or the value of his interest, whichever is the less; and (b) the value of that person’s interest shall be determined as at the date of the transaction constituting the fraudulent preference, and shall be determined as if the interest were free of all incumbrances other than those to which the charge for the company’s debt was the subject. (2) Where, for the purposes of this section an application is made to the court in respect of any payment on the grounds that the payment was fraudulent preference of a surety or guarantor, the court may- (a) determine any questions in respect of the payment arising between the person to whom the payment is made and the surety or guarantor; and (b) grant relief in respect thereof notwithstanding that it is not necessary to do so for the purposes of the winding up, and may for that purpose give leave to bring in the surety or guarantor as a third party as in the case of an action for the recovery of the sum paid. (3) Subsection (2) shall apply with the necessary modifications to a transaction other than payment of money as it applies to payment of money.
441. (1) A liquidator who wishes to have transactions under
section 444 or any other voidable transaction under sections 446
and 447 set aside shall–
(a) file in the court a notice to that effect specifying the transaction or charge to be set aside and, in the case of a transaction, the property or value which the liquidator wishes to recover and also the effect of subsections (2), (3) and (4); and (b) serve a copy of the notice on the other party to the transaction or the grantee of the charge and on every other person from whom the liquidator wishes to recover. (2) A person– (a) who would be affected by the setting aside of the transaction or charge specified in the notice; and 308 309 Fraudulent preference. Liabilities and rights of persons fraudulently preferred. Procudure for setting aside voidable transactions and charges.

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (b) who considers that the transaction or charge should not be set aside, may apply to the court for an order that the transaction or charge not be set aside. (3) Unless a person on whom the notice was served has applied to the court under subsection (2), the transaction or charge shall be set aside one month after the date of service of the notice. (4) If one or more persons have applied to the court under subsection (2) the transaction or charges shall be set aside on the day on which the last application is finally determined unless the court orders otherwise.
442. If a transaction or charge is set aside, the court may make
one or more of the following orders:– (a) an order requiring a person to pay to the liquidator in respect of benefits received by that person as a result of the transaction or charge such sums as fairly represent those benefits; (b) an order requiring property transferred as part of the transaction to be restored to the company; (c) an order requiring property to be vested in the company if it represents in a person’s hands the application of either proceeds of sale of property or of money so transferred; (d) an order releasing in whole or in part a charge given by the company; (e) an order requiring security to be given for the discharge of an order made under this
section;
(f) an order specifying the extent to which a person affected by the setting aside of a transaction or by an order made under this
section is entitled to claim as a creditor in the
liquidation.
443. (1) The setting aside of a transaction or an order made
under section 442 does not affect the title or interest of a person in property which that person has acquired- (a) from a person other than the company; (b) for valuable consideration; and (c) without knowledge of the circumstances under which the property was acquired from the company. (2) The setting aside of a charge or an order made under
section 442 does not affect the title or interest of a person in property
which that person has acquired–
(a) as the result of the exercise of a power of sale by the grantee of the charge; (b) for valuable consideration; and (c) without knowledge of the circumstances relating to the giving of the charge. (3) Recovery by the liquidator of property or its equivalent value whether under this Act or under any other enactment may be denied wholly or in part if– (a) the person from whom recovery is sought received the property in good faith and has altered his position in the reasonably held belief that the transfer to that person was validly made and would not be set aside; and (b) in the opinion of the court it is inequitable to order recovery or recovery in full.
444. (1) Where–
(a) a transaction was entered into by a company within the specified period referred to in subsection (3); 310 311 Orders upon setting aside transaction or charges. Additional provisions relating to setting aside transactions and charges. Transactions at undervalue.

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (b) the value of the consideration or benefit received by the company was less than the value of the consideration provided by the company or the company received no consideration or benefit; and (c) when the transaction was entered into the company- (i) was unable to pay its due debts; (ii) was engaged or about to engage in business for which its financial resources were unreasonably small; or (iii) incurred an obligation knowing that the company would not be able to perform the obligation when required to do so; (d) when the transaction was entered into the other party to the transaction knew or ought to have known of the matter referred to in subparagraph (i), (ii) or (iii) as the case may be of paragraph (c), the liquidator may recover from any other party to the transaction any amount by which the value of the consideration or benefit provided by the company exceeded the value of the consideration or benefit received by the company. (2) Where– (a) a transaction was entered into by a company within the specified period; (b) the value of the consideration or benefit received by the company was less than the value of the consideration provided by the company or the company received no consideration or benefit; (c) the company became unable to pay its due debts as a result of the transaction; and (d) when the transaction was entered into the other party to the transaction knew or ought to have known that the company would become unable to pay its due debts as a result of the transaction, the liquidator may recover from any other party to the transaction any amount by which the value of the consideration or benefit provided by the company exceeded the value of the consideration or benefit received by the company. (3) For the purposes of this section- (a) “transaction” includes the giving of a guarantee by a company; (b) “specified period” means- (i) the period of a year before the commencement of the winding up; and (ii) in the case of a company that was put into winding up by the court, the period of a year before the making of the application to the court together with the period commencing on the date of the making of that application and ending on the date on which the order of the court was made.
445. (1) Where within the specified period referred to in
subsection (4) a company has acquired a business or property from the services of– (a) a person who was at the time of the acquisition a director of the company or a nominee or relativeof or a trustee for a relative of a director of the company; (b) a person or a relative of a person who at the time of the acquisition had control of the company; 312 313 Inadequate or excessive consideration for directors and certain other persons.

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (c) another company that was at the time of the acquisition controlled by a director of the company or a nominee or relative of or a trustee for a relative of a director of the company; (d) another company that was at the time of the acquisition a related company, the liquidator may recover from the person relative company or related company as the case may be any amount by which the value of the consideration given for the acquisition of the business, property or services exceeded the value of the business, property or services at the time of the acquisition. (2) Where within the specified period referred to in subsection (4) a company has disposed of a business or property or provided services or issued shares to– (a) a person who was at the time of the disposition or issue a director of the company or a nominee or relative of or a trustee for a relative of a director of the com-pany; (b) a person or a relative of a person who at the time of the disposition, provision or issue had control of the company; (c) another company that was at the time of the disposition, provision or issue controlled by a director of the company or a nominee or relative of or a trustee for a relative of a director of the company; or (d) another company that at the time of the disposition, provision or issue was a related company, the liquidator may recover from the person, relative company or related company as the case may be, any amount by which the value of the business, property or services or the value of the shares at the time of the disposition, provision or issue exceeded the value of any consideration received by the company. (3) For the purposes of this section, the value of a business or property includes the value of any goodwill attaching to the business or property. (4) For the purposes of subsections (1 and (2), “specified period” means– (a) the period of 3 years before the commencement of the winding up; and (b) in the case of a company that was put into winding up by the court the period of three years before the making of the application to the court together with the period commencing on the date of the making of the application and ending on the date on which the order of the court was made.
446. (1) Subject to subsection (2), if a company that is in
liquidation is unable to meet all its debts, the court, on the application of the liquidator may order that a security or charge or
part of it created by the company over any of its properties or
undertaking in favour of–
(a) a person who was, at the time the security or charge was created a director of the company or a nominee or relative of or a trustee for a relative of a director of the company; (b) a person or a relative of a person who at the time when the security or charge was created had control of the company; (c) another company that was when the security or charge was created controlled by a director of the company or a nominee or relative of or a trustee for a relative of a director of the company ; 314 315 Court to set aside certain securities and charges.

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (d) another company that at the time when the security or charge was created was a related company, shall so far as any security on the property or undertaking is conferred be set aside as against the liquidator of the company if the court considers that having regard to the circumstances in which the security or charge was created the conduct of the person relative company or related company as the case may be in relation to the affairs of the company and any other relevant circumstances it is just and equitable to make the order. (2) Subsection (1) does not apply to a security or charge that has been transferred by the person in whose favour it was originally created and has been purchased by another person (whether or not from the first mentioned person) if– (a) at the time of the purchase, the purchaser was not a person specified in any of paragraphs (a) to (d) of that subsection; and (b) the purchase was made in good faith and for valuable consideration. (3) The court may make such other orders as it thinks proper for the purpose of giving effect to an order under this section.
447. (1) On the application of the liquidator, a creditor or shareholder, the court, if satisfied that it is just and equitable to do so, may
order that-
(a) a company that is, or has been, related to the company in liquidation shall pay to the liquidator the whole or part of any or all of the claims made in the liquidation; (b) where two or more related companies are in liquidation, the liquidations in respect of each company must proceed together as if they were one company to the extent that the court so orders and subject to such terms and conditions as the court may imposes. (2) The court may make such other order or give such directions to facilitate giving effect to an order under subsection (1) as it thinks fit.
448. (1) In deciding whether it is just and equitable to make an
order under paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section 447, the court shall have regard to the following matters:- (a) the extent to which the related company took
part in the management of the company in
liquidation;
(b) the conduct of the related company towards the creditors of the company in liquidation; (c) the extent to which the circumstances that gave rise to the liquidation of the company are attributable to the actions of the related company; (d) the extent to which the businesses of the companies have been combined; (e) such other matters as the court thinks fit. (3) The fact that creditors of a company in liquidation relied on the fact that another company is, or was, related to it is not a ground for making an order under section 447.
449. (1) The Commission shall establish a fund to be called
theAssetless Companies Fund, in this section called ‘the Fund’. (2) The Commission may invest money forming part of the Fund in such manner as it thinks fit. (3) The Fund shall consist of– (a) all contributions paid under subsection (5); (b) all interest received from the investment of money forming part of the Fund; and (c) any other money lawfully paid into the Fund. 316 317 Pooling of assets of related companies. Assetless Companies Fund. Guidelines for orders.

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (4) There shall be paid out of the Fund– (a) the expenses of maintaining and administering the Fund; and (b) the amounts advanced from the Fund under subsection (6). (5) A company that lodges an annual return shall pay to the Commission, at the time of lodging the return, such fee by way of contribution to the Fund as may be prescribed (6) Where a company in liquidation does not have unencumbered assets immediately available to the liquidator of a value greater than Le10,000,000 or other prescribed amount (an “assetless company”), the Commission may make one or more advances from the Fund under this section, if it is satisfied that it would be in the interests of the company’s creditors or shareholders, or both, for the liquidator to– (a) make inquiries concerning the business, property, affairs or entitlements of the company; or (b) bring, continue or defend proceedings relating to the business, property or affairs of the company, for the purpose of recovering, retaining or realising the company’s assets. (7) Advances from the Fund under this section shall be of such amount as the Commission determines, having regard to the proposals of the liquidator for the conduct of the proceedings or the inquiry, and may be made in relation to any one or more stages of the proceedings or the inquiry, and on such terms and conditions as the Commission thinks fit. (8) Advances from the Fund may include an amount to meet any costs awarded against the liquidator. (9) Where an advance has been authorised by the Commission under subsection (6), the Commission has, in the liquidation of the company concerned, a claim to be repaid the amount of that advance. (10) The Commission’s claim under subsection (9) shall be treated as an expense properly incurred by the liquidator under this Act.
450. (1) Where a company is being wound up, a floating charge
on the undertaking or property of the company created within 6 months of the commencement of the winding up shall, unless it is proved that the company immediately after the creation of the charge was solvent, be invalid, except to the amount of any cash paid to the company at the time of or subsequent to the creation of, and in consideration for, the charge, together with interest on that amount. (2) Interest under subsection (1) shall be at prevailing bank rate.
451. (1) Where any part of the property of a company which
is being wound up consists of land of any tenure burdened with onerous covenants, of shares or stock in companies, of unprofitable contracts, or of any other property that is unsaleable or not readily saleable or by reason of its binding the possession to the performance of any onerous act, or to the payment of any sum of money, the liquidator may, with the leave of the court and subject to this section, by writing signed by him, at any time within 12 months after the commencement of the winding up or such extended period as may be allowed by the court, disclaim the property. (2) Where such property has not come to the knowledge of the liquidator within one month after the commencement of the winding up, the power under this section of disclaiming the property may be exercised at any time within 12 months after he has become aware of it or such extended period as may be allowed by the court. (3) The disclaimer shall operate to determine, as from the date of disclaimer, the rights, interest and liabilities of the company, and the property of the company, in or in respect of the property disclaimed, but shall not, except so far as is necessary for the purpose 318 319 Effect of floating charge. Disclaimer of onerous property.

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 of releasing the company and the property of the company from liability, affect the rights or liabilities of the other person. (4) The court, before or on granting leave to disclaim, may require such notices to be given to persons interested, and impose such terms as a condition of granting leave, and make such other order in the matter as the court thinks just. (5) The liquidator shall not be entitled to disclaim any property under this section in any case where an application in writing has been made to him by any persons interested in the property requiring him to decide whether he will or will not disclaim, and the liquidator has not, within a period of 28 days after the receipt of the application or such further period as may be allowed by the court, given notice to the applicant that he intends to apply to the court for leave to disclaim. (6) In the case of a contract, if the liquidator, after the application, does not, within the period or further period disclaim the contract, the company shall be deemed to have adopted it. (7) The court may, on the application of any person who is, as against the liquidator, entitled to the benefit or subject to the burden of a contract made with the company, make an order rescinding the contract on such terms as to payment by or to either party of damages for the non-performance of the contract, or otherwise as the court thinks just; and any damages payable under the order to the person may be proved by him as a debt in the winding up. (8) The court may, on the application by a person who either claims any interest in any disclaimed property or is under a liability and on hearing such persons as it thinks fit, make an order for the vesting of the property in or to whom it may seem just that the property should be delivered by way of compensation for such liability, or a trustee for him, and on such terms as the court thinks just. (9) On a vesting order being made, the property comprised in it shall vest accordingly in the person named in that behalf without any conveyance or assignment for the purpose. (10) Where the property disclaimed is of a leasehold nature, the court shall not make a vesting order in favour of any person claiming under the company, whether as under-lessee or as mortgagee by demise, including a chargee by way of legal mortgage, except upon the terms of making that person– (a) subject to the same liabilities and obligations as those to which the company was subject under the lease in respect of the property at the commencement of the winding up; or (b) if the court thinks fit, subject only to the same liabilities and obligations as if the lease had been assigned to that person at that date, and in either event if the case so requires, the liabilities and obligations shall be as if the lease had comprised only the property comprised in the vesting order. (11) If there is no person claiming under the company who is willing to accept an
order upon such terms, the court shall have power to vest the property and interest in the property in any person liable either personally or in a representative capacity either alone or jointly with the company to perform the lessee’s covenants in the lease, freed and discharged from all estates, incumbrances and interests created in the lease by the company. (12) Any person injured by the operation of a disclaimer under this section shall be deemed to be a creditor of the company to the amount of the injury, and may accordingly prove the amount as a debt in the winding-up.
452. (1) Where a creditor has issued execution against the
goods or lands of a company or has attached any debt due to it, and the company is subsequently wound up, he shall not be entitled to retain the benefit of the execution or attachment against the liquidator in the winding up of the company unless he has completed the execution or attachment before the commencement of the winding up; but– 320 321 Restriction of rights of creditor in company being wound up.

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (a) where any creditor has had notice of a meeting having been called at which a resolution for voluntary winding-up is to be proposed, the date on which the creditor had the notice shall for the purposes of subsection (1) be substituted for the date of the commencement of the winding up; and (b) a person who purchases in good faith under a sale by the sheriff of any goods of a company on which execution has been levied shall in all cases acquire a good title to them against the liquidator. (2) For the purposes of this section– (a) an execution against goods shall be taken to be completed by seizure and sale; (b) an attachment of a debt shall be deemed to be completed by receipt of the debt; and (c) execution against land shall be deemed to be completed by seizure and , in the case of an equitable interest, by the appointment of a receiver. (3) In this section the expression “goods” includes all chattels personal, and the expression “sheriff” includes any officer charged with the execution of a writ or other process.
453. (1) Where any goods of a company are taken in
execution, and, before the sale or completion of the execution by the receipt or recovery of the full amount of the levy, the Sheriff is notified in writing that a provisional liquidator has been appointed or that a winding-up order has been made or that a resolution for voluntary winding-up has been passed, the Sheriff shall, on being so required, deliver the goods and any money seized or received in part satisfaction of the execution to the liquidator; but the costs of the execution shall be a first charge on the goods, or money so delivered and the liquidator may sell the goods, or sufficient part of them, for the purpose of satisfying that charge. (2) Where under an execution in respect of a judgement for a sum exceeding Le3,000,000 the goods of a company are sold or money is paid in order to avoid the sale, the Sheriff shall deduct the costs of the execution from the proceeds of the sale or the money paid and retain the balance for 14 days. (3) If within the time notice is served on the Sheriff of a petition for the winding-up of the company having been presented or of a meeting having been called at which there is to be proposed a resolution for the voluntary winding up of the company and an order is made or a resolution is passed, as the case may be, for the winding up of the company, the Sheriff shall pay the balance to the liquidator, who shall be entitled to retain it as against the execution creditor. (4) The rights conferred by this section on the liquidator may be set aside by the court in favour of the creditor to such extent and subject to such terms as the court thinks fit. (5) In this section the expression “goods” includes all chattels personal, and the expression “Sheriff” includes any officer charged with execution of a writ or other process. Offences antecedent to or in course of winding up.
454. (1) If any person, being a past or present director, manager
or other officer of a company which at the time of the commission of the alleged offence is being wound up, whether by or under the supervision of the court or voluntarily, or is subsequently ordered to be wound up by the court or subsequently passes a resolution for voluntary winding up– (a) does not to the best of his knowledge and belief fully and truly disclose to the liquidator all the property, real and personal, of the company, and how and to whom and for what consideration and when the company disposed of any part thereof, except such
part as has been disposed of in the ordinary
way of the business of the company;
322 323
Duties of sheriff as to goods taken in execution.
Offences by officers of companies in liquidation.

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (b) does not deliver up to the liquidator, or as he directs, all such part of the real and personal property of the company as is in his custody or under his control, and which he is required by law to deliver up; (c) does not deliver up to the liquidator, or as he directs, all books and papers in his custody or under his control belonging to the company and which he is required by law to deliver up; (d) within 12 months before the commencement of the winding up or at any time after that conceals any part of the property of the company to the value of Le8,000,000 or more or conceals any debt due to or from the company; (e) within 12 months before the commencement of the winding up or at any time after that fraudulently removes any part of the property of the company ; (f) makes any material omission in any statement relating to the affairs of the company; (g) knowing or believing that a false debt has been proved by any person under the winding up, fails for the period of a month to inform the liquidator; (h) after the commencement of the winding-up prevents the production of any book or paper affecting or relating to the property or affairs of the company; (i) within 12 months before the commencement of the winding-up or at any time thereafter, conceals, destroys, mutilates or falsifies, or is privy to the concealment, destruction, 324 325 mutilation or falsification of, any book or paper affecting or relating to the property or affairs of the company; (j) within 12 months before the commencement of the winding up or at any time after that makes or is privy to the making of any false entry in any book or paper affecting or relating to the property or affairs of the company; (k) within 12 months before the commencement of the winding up or at any time after that fraudulently parts with, alters, or makes any omission in, is privy to the fraudulent parting with, altering or making any omission in, any document affecting or relating to the property or affairs of the company; (l) after commencement of the winding up or at any meeting of the creditors of the company within 12 months next before the commencement of the winding up attempts to account for any part of the property of the company by fictitious losses or expenses; (m) has within 12 months before the commencement of the winding up or at any time after that by any false representation or other fraud, obtained any property for or on behalf of the company on credit which the company does not subsequently pay for ; (n) within 12 months before the commencement of the winding-up or at any time after that, under the false pretence that the company is carrying on its business, obtains on credit, for or on behalf of the company, any property which the company does not subsequently pay for;

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (o) within 12 months before the commencement of the winding-up or at any time after that pawns, pledges, or disposes of any property of the company which has been obtained on credit and has not been paid for, unless such pawning, pledging, or disposal is in the ordinary way of the business of the company, or (p) by any false representation or other fraud obtains the consent of the creditors of the company or any of them to an agreement with reference to the affairs of the company or to the winding up, shall be guilty of an offence, and in the case of the offences in paragraphs (m), (n) and (o) be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years, and in the case of any other offence shall be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years. (2) It shall be a valid defence– (a) to a charge under paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (d), (f), (n) and (o) of subsection (1), if the accused person proves that he had no intent to defraud; and (b) to a charge under paragraphs (h), (i) and (j) of subsection (1) if he proves that he had no intent to conceal the state of affairs of the company or to defeat the law. (3) Where any person pawns, pledges or disposes of any property in circumstances which amount to an offence under paragraph (o) of subsection (1), any person who takes in pawn, or pledge or otherwise receives the property knowing it to be pawned, pledged, or disposed of in such circumstances shall be guilty of an offence, and shall be liable to be punished in the same way as if he had received the property knowing it to have been obtained in circumstances amounting to a misdemeanour. (4) For the purposes of this section, the expression “director” shall include any person in accordance with whose directions or instructions the directors of a company are accustomed to act and “past director” means a person who was a director 12 months before the commencement of the winding up.
455. Any director, manager or other officer, or contributory of
any company being wound up who-
(a) destroys, mutilates, alters or falsifies any books, papers or securities: or (b) makes or is privy to the making of any false or fraudulent entry in any register, book of account or document belonging to the company with intent to defraud or deceive any person, shall be guilty of an offence and be liable to a term of imprisonment not exceeding 2 years.
456. (1) Where a company is ordered to be wound up by a
court or passes a resolution for voluntary winding up, a person is deemed to have committed an offence if he, being a director, manager or other officer of the company with intent to defraud- (a) creditors of the company, has made or causes to be made any gift or transfer of or charge on or has caused or connived at the levying of any execution; (b) conceals or removes any part of the company’s property since or within 2 months before the date of any unsatisfied judgement or order for the payment of money obtained against the company; or (c) has by false pretences or by means of any other fraud induced any person to give credit to the company. (2) Any person convicted under subsection (1) shall be liable to a term of imprisonment not exceeding 2 years. 326 327 Penalty for falsification of books. Fraud by officers of companies which have gone into liquidation.

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009
457. (1) If, where a company is being wound up it is shown
that proper books of account were not kept by the company throughout the period of 2 years preceding the commencement of the winding-up, every director, or manager or other officer of the company who was knowingly a party to or connived at the default of the company, unless he shows that he acted honestly or that in the circumstances in which the business of the company was carried on the default was excusable, shall be guilty of an offence and be liable to a term of imprisonment not exceeding 2 years. (2) For the purposes of this section, proper books of account shall be deemed not to have been kept in the case of any company- (a) if there have not been kept such books or accounts as are necessary to exhibit and explain the transactions and financial position of the trade or business of the company, including books containing entries from day to day in sufficient detail of all cash received and cash paid; and, (b) where the trade or business has involved dealings in goods, statements of the annual stock-takings and, except in the case of goods sold by way of ordinary retail trade, of goods sold and purchased, showing the goods and buyers and sellers thereof in sufficient detail to enable those goods and those buyers and sellers to be identified.
458. (1) If in the course of the winding up of a company it
appears that any business of the company has been carried on with intent to defraud creditors of the company for any fraudulent purpose, the court, on the application of the official receiver, or the liquidator or any creditor or contributory of the company, may, if it thinks proper, declare that any of the directors, whether past or present, of the company who were knowingly parties to the carrying on of the business in the manner mentioned in this subsection shall be personally responsible, without any limitation of liability, for all or any of the debts or other liabilities of the company as the court may direct. (2) On the hearing of the application, the official receiver or the liquidator, as the case may be, may himself give evidence or call witnesses. (3) Where the court makes such a declaration, it may give such further directions as it thinks proper for the purpose of giving effect to that declaration, and in particular may- (a) provide for making the liability of such a director under the declaration, a charge on any debt or obligation due from the company to him, or on any mortgage or charge or any interest in any mortgage or charge on any assets of the company held by or vested in him, or any company or person on his behalf, or any person claiming as assignee from or through the director, company or person; and (b) from time to time make such further order as may be necessary for the purpose of enforcing any charge imposed under this subsection. (4) For the purposes of subsection (3), the expression “assignee” includes– (a) any person to whom or in whose favour, by the directions of the director, the debt, obligation, mortgage or charge was created, issued or transferred or the interest created; but (b) does not include an assignee for valuable consideration (not including consideration by way of marriage) given in good faith and without notice of any of the matters on the ground of which the declaration is made. (5) Where any business of a company is carried on with intent to defraud or for such purpose as is mentioned in subsection (1), every director of the company who was knowingly a party to the carrying on of the business in the manner mentioned shall be guilty of an offence and be liable on conviction to a term of imprisonment not exceeding one year. 328 329 Liability where proper accounts not kept. Responsibility of directors for fraudulent trading.

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (6) The court may– (a) in the case of any person in respect of whom a declaration has been made under subsection (1) or who has been convicted of an offence under subsection (5), order that that person shall not, without the leave of the court, be a director of or in any way, whether directly or indirectly, be concerned in or take part in the management of a company for such period, not exceeding 5 years, from the date of the declaration or of the conviction, as the case may be; and (b) if any person acts in contravention of an order made under this subsection he shall, in respect of each offence, be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding Le5,000,000 or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding 2 years, or to both the fine and imprisonment. (7) In subsection (6) the expression “the court”– (a) in relation to the making of an order, means the court by which the declaration was made or the court before which the person was convicted as the case may be; or (b) in relation to the granting of leave means any court having jurisdiction to wind up the company. (8) For the purposes of this section, the expression “director” shall include any person in accordance with whose directions or instructions the directors of a company have been accustomed to act.
459. (1) If in the course of winding-up a company it appears
that any person who has taken part in the formation or promotion of the company or any past or present director, manager or liquidator or any officer of thecompany, has misapplied or retained or become liable or accountable for any money or property of the company, or been guilty of any misfeasance or breach of trust in relation to the company, the court may, on the application of the official receiver, or of the liquidator, or of any creditor or contributory, examine the conduct of the promoter, director, manager, liquidator or officer, and compel him to- (a) repay or restore the money or property or any part thereof respectively with interest at such rate as the court thinks just; or (b) contribute such sum to the assets of the company by way of compensation in respect of the misapplication, retainer, misfeasance or breach of trust as the court thinks just. (2) This section shall have effect notwithstanding that the offence is one for which the offender may be criminally liable. (3) Where in the case of a winding-up an order for payment of money is made under this section, the order shall be deemed to be a final judgment against the person against whom the order is made.
460. (1) If it appears to the court in the course of a winding up
by,or subject to the supervision of, the court that any past or present director, manager or other officer, or any member of the company has committed an offence in relation to the company for which he is criminally liable, the court may, either on the application of the person interested in the winding up or of its own motion, direct the liquidator either himself to prosecute the offender or to refer the matter to the Attorney-General. (2) If it appears to the liquidator in the course of a voluntary winding up that any past or present director, manager or other officer, or any member, of the company has committed any offence in relation to the company for which he is criminally liable he shall– 330 331 Power of court to assess damages against delinquent directors. Prosecution of delinquent officers and members of company.

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (a) forthwith report the matter to the AttorneyGeneral; and (b) furnish to the Attorney-General such information and give to him such access to and facilities for inspecting and taking copies of any documents, being information or documents in the possession or under the control of the liquidator and relating to the matter in question, as he may require. (3) Where any report is made under subsection (2) to the Attorney-General he may, if he thinks fit, apply to the court for an order conferring on him or any person designated by him for the purpose with respect to the company concerned, all such powers of investigating the affairs of the company as are provided by this Act in the case of a winding up by the court. (4) If, on any report to the Attorney-General under subsection (2) it appears to him that the case is not one in which proceedings ought to be taken by him, he shall inform the liquidator accordingly, and then, subject to the approval of the court, the liquidator may himself take proceedings against the offender. (5) If it appears to the court in the course of a voluntary winding up that any past or present director, manager or other officer, or any member, of the company has committed an offence, and that no report with respect to the matter has been made by the liquidator to the Attorney-General under subsection (2) the court may, on the application of any person interested in the winding up or of its own motion, direct the liquidator to make such a report; and on a report being made this section shall have effect as though the report had been made in pursuance of subsection (2). (6) If, where any matter is reported or referred to the Attorney-General, he considers– (a) that the case is one in which a prosecution ought to be instituted; and (b) that it is desirable in the public interest that the proceedings in the prosecution should be conducted by him, he shall institute proceedings accordingly, and it shall be the duty of the liquidator and of every officer and agent of the company past and present (other than the defendant in the proceedings) to give him all assistance in connection with the prosecution which he is reasonably able to give. (7) For the purposes of subsection (6), the expression “agent” in relation to a company shall include any banker or solicitor of the company and any person employed by the company as auditor, whether that person is or is not an officer of the company. (8) If any person fails or neglects to give assistance in the manner required by subsection (7)– (a) the court may, on the application of the Attorney-General, direct that person to comply with the requirements of that subsection; and (b) where an application is made with respect to a liquidator the court may, unless it appears that the failure or neglect to comply was due to the liquidator not having in his hands sufficient assets of the company to enable him to do so, direct that the costs of the
application shall be borne by the liquidator personally. (9) The Minister may direct that the whole or any part of any costs and expenses properly incurred by the liquidator in proceedings duly brought by him under this section shall be defrayed out of the Consolidated Fund. (10) Subject to any direction under subsection (9) and to mortgages or charges on the assets of the company and any debts to which priority is given by section 154 all costs and expenses shall be payable out of those assets in priority to all other liabilities payable. (11) In this section, “Attorney-General” means AttorneyGeneral and Minister of Justice. 332 333

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 Supplementary provisions as to winding up
461. (1) The following persons shall not be competent to be
appointed or to act as liquidator of a company, whether in a winding up by, or under the supervision of the court, or in a voluntary winding up:– (a) a person below the age of 18 years; (b) any person found by the court to be of unsound mind; (c) a body corporate; (d) an undischarged bankrupt; (e) an officer or contributory of the company under liquidation; (f) any person convicted of any offence involving fraud, dishonesty, official corruption or moral turpitude and in respect of whom there is a subsisting order under
section 218.
(2) An appointment made in contravention of subsection (1) shall be void and if any of the persons named in paragraphs (c), (d), (e), and (f) of that subsection acts as a liquidator of the company he shall be guilty of an offence and be liable to a fine not exceeding Le5,000,000 .in the case of a body corporate or, in the case of an individual, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to a fine not exceeding Le5,000,000 or to both the imprisonment and fine.
462. Any person who gives or agrees or offers to give to any
member or creditor of a company any valuable consideration with a view to securing his own appointment or nomination, or to securing or preventing the appointment or nomination of some person other than himself, as the company’s liquidator, shall be guilty of an offence and be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year.
463. (1) If a liquidator defaults in filing, delivering or making
any return, account or other document, or in giving any notice which he is by law required to file, deliver, make or give, and fails to make good the default within 14 days after the service on him of a notice requiring him to do so, the court may, on the application made to the court by any contributory or creditor of the company or by the Commission, make an order directing the liquidator to make good the default within such time as is specified in the order. (2) Any order under this section may provide that the costs of any expenses incidental to the application shall be borne by the liquidator and nothing in this section shall be taken to prejudice the operation of any enactment imposing penalties on a liquidator in respect of the default.
464. (1) Where a company is being wound up, whether by or
under the supervision of the court or voluntarily, every invoice, order for goods or business letter issued by or on behalf of the company or a liquidator of the company, or a receiver or manager of the property of the company, being a document on or in which the name of the company appears, shall contain a statement that the company is being wound up. (2) If default is made in complying with this section, the company and every director, manager, secretary or other officer of the company, and every liquidator of the company and every receiver or manager, who knowingly and wilfully authorises or permits the default commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding Le3,000,000 or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding one year or to both the fine and imprisonment.
465. (1) In the case of a winding up by the court, or of a
creditors’ voluntary windingup of a company– (a) every assurance relating solely to freehold or leasehold property, or to any mortgage, charge or other encumbrance on, or any estate, right or interest in, any real or personal property, which forms part of the assets of the company and which, after the execution of the assurance, either at law or in equity, is or remains part of the assets of the company; and 334 335 Enforcement of duty of liquidator to make returns, etc. Notification that company is in liquidation. Corrupt inducement affecting appointment as liquidator. Exemption of certain documents from stamp duty on winding up of companies. Disqualifications for appointment as liquidator.

No. 5 Companies Act 2009 No. 5 Companies Act 2009 (b) every power of attorney, proxy paper, writ, order, certificate, affidavit, bond or other instrument or writing relating solely to the property of any company which is being so wound up, or to any proceeding under such a winding up, shall be exempt from duties chargeable under the Stamp Duty Act. (2) In this section the expression “assurance” includes deed, transfer, assignment and surrender.
466. Where a company is being wound up, and is about to be
dissolved, the books and papers of the company and of the liquidators may be disposed of as follows:– (a) in the case of a winding up by, or subject to the supervision of, the court in such way as the court directs; (b) in the case of a members’ voluntary winding up, in such way as the company by special resolution directs; and (c) in the case of a creditors’ voluntary winding up, in such way as the committee of inspection or, if there is no committee, as the creditors of the company, may direct. (2) After 5 years from the dissolution of the company no responsibility shall rest on the company, the liquidators, or any person to whom the custody of the books and papers has been committed, by reason of any book or paper not being forthcoming to any person claiming to be interested in it. (3) The Minister may, by statutory instrument, make rules to prevent, for any period not exceeding five years from the dissolution of the company, the destruction of the books and papers of a company which has been wound up, and for enabling any creditor or contributory of the company to appeal to the court from any direction which may be given in the matter.
467. (1) If, where a company is being wound up the winding
up is not concluded within one year after its commencement, the liquidator shall, at such intervals as may be prescribed, until the winding-up is concluded, send to the Commission a statement in the prescribed form and containing the prescribed particulars with respect to the proceedings in and position of the liquidation. (2) Any person stating himself in writing to be a creditor or contributory of the company shall be entitled, by himself or by his agent, at all reasonable times, on payment of the prescribed fee, to inspect the statement, and to receive a copy of it or extract from it. (3) If a liquidator fails to comply with this section, he shall be guilty of an offence and be liable to a fine of Le500,000 for each day during which the default continues, and any person untruthfully stating himself to be a creditor or contributory shall be guilty of an offence and be liable to a fine not exceeding Le5,000,000.
468. (1) If, where a company is being wound up, it appears
either from any statement sent to the Commission under section 467, or otherwise that a liquidator has in his hands or under his control any money representing unclaimed or undistributed assets of the company which have remained unclaimed or undistributed for 6 months after the date of their receipt, the liquidator shall forthwith pay the money into the Companies Liquidation Account, and shall be entitled to the prescribed certificate of receipt for the money so paid; and that certificate shall be an effectual discharge to him. (2) For the purpose of ascertaining and getting in any money payable to the Commission in pursuance of this section, the same powers may be exercised, and by the same authority, as are exercisable under any enactment regarding bankruptcies for the purpose of ascertaining and getting in the sums, funds and dividends referred to in this section. (3) Any person claiming to be entitled to any money paid to the Commission in pursuance of this section may apply to the Commission for payment, and the Commission may, on a certificate by the liquidator that the person claiming is entitled, make an order for the payment to that person of the sum due. 336 337 Books of company to be evidence. Information as to pending liquidations. Unclaimed assets to be paid into Companies Liquidation Account. Cap 274.

Companies Act 2009

Lineage: In force

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