TSX Venture Exchange: FGD
Frankfurt Stock Exchange: 1G5
TORONTO, Sept. 18, 2017 /CNW/ - First Global Data ("First
Global" or the "Company") is providing an update on the following developments in connection with its litigation with Fountain
Asset Corp. ("Fountain") and certain other parties.
As stated in the Company's news release dated February 13, 2017, the Company was served with a
Notice of Application and Application Record (the "Application") brought by Fountain, issued in the Superior Court of Justice of
Ontario, Court file CV-17-569015, commenced in Toronto, in
which Fountain was seeking a court order that the Company deliver to Fountain certain options to subscribe for and purchase
3,375,000 common shares of the Company at $0.10 per share pursuant to the terms of a Financial
Advisor Agreement dated August 29, 2015. In the Application, Fountain also sought a
declaration that Fountain is entitled to subscribe for and purchase 3,500,000 common shares of the Company at $0.11 per share pursuant to a warrant certificate, dated August 31, 2015.
The Company is vigorously defending the Application. The matter came up for an initial hearing on August 3, 2017 before Madam Justice Kristjanson of the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario. The Company
has various defences, but is primarily defending the Application on the basis that the options and warrants are void and
unenforceable since they were granted as part of a financing transaction bearing a criminal rate of interest in breach of section
347 of the Criminal Code. As well, the Company is asserting that the interest rate associated with the loan is in breach of the
Interest Act, RSO, 1990.
Fresh as Amended Statement of Claim
Furthermore, the Company and its wholly owned subsidiary First Global Data Corp. have commenced an action (the "2017 Action"),
by way of a Fresh as Amended Statement of claim initially issued in the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario, Court file CV-17-577847, on June 27, 2017 (and amended on
September 12, 2017), against Fountain and a number of other parties (the "Defendants") including
Yoel Altman, Paul Haber, Paul Van
Benthem and Jason Ewart and corporations associated with them. The Company and First
Global Data Corp. seek, among other things: damages in the amount of $20,000,000 for breach of
contract, breach of trust, negligent, reckless or intentional misrepresentation, unjust enrichment and conspiracy; a declaration
that Altman, Haber and Van Benthem have conspired with the Defendants, Jason Ewart and Fountain, and with others for the issue and transfer of 26,000,000 common shares of the
Company ("FGD Shares") to the Defendants to the detriment of the Company and its shareholders and to cause the Company to assume
the liabilities of LTP Financing Ltd. ("LTP") and other relief; and in the alternative, a declaration that Altman, Haber and
Van Benthem have conspired with Ewart and Fountain and with others, or have otherwise wrongfully
caused the Company to issue 15,128,840 common shares of the Company to Altman, Haber and Van
Benthem and to cause the Company to assume the liabilities of the LTP. The Company and First Global Data Corp. also seek a
court declaration and other compensatory relief against Fountain including (i) a declaration that the Credit Agreement dated
May 14, 2015 entered into with Fountain was in breach of section 4 of the Interest Act, and for an
Order pursuant to section 5 of the Interest Act for the recovery of any interest or compensation received by Fountain in excess
of 5% per annum; (ii) an Order that the FGD Shares issued pursuant to the terms of the Forbearance Agreement dated
August 31, 2015 made with Fountain constitute interest both pursuant to the provisions of the
Interest Act, and pursuant to section 347 of the Criminal Code; or otherwise constitute an unlawful charge or penalty; (iii) for
an Order that the effective interest rate levied by Fountain pursuant to the Credit Agreement and Forbearance Agreement exceed
60% per annum contrary to section 347 of the Criminal Code; (d) an Order for the repayment of all interest (including the FGD
Shares or their equivalent value), and for the repayment of all other interest, fees, penalties and charges paid by the Company
and/or First Global Data Corp. in excess of 5% per annum.
In response to the Application brought by Fountain scheduled to be heard on August 3, the
Company and First Global Data Corp. brought a motion heard by the court on August 3, 2017 to
convert the Application to an action, and to consolidate the action with the 2017 Action. In her written
Endorsement dated August 24, 2017, Madam Justice Kristjanson agreed with the Company's motion
request and directed that the Application be converted to an action, and that the claims raised in the Application be advanced as
a counterclaim in the 2017 Action. As a result of this ruling, the Court is expected to adjudicate the issues raised in
both the Application and the 2017 Action in the same proceedings at some future date not yet scheduled.
In her August 24, 2017 reasons for granting the Company's motion, Madam Justice Kristjanson
found that the 2017 Action and the Application involved the same factual matrix, common legal and factual issues, and many common
parties. The 2017 Action and the Application both involve: Fountain, the Company and related parties, the failed
acquisition of LTP, the financing extended by Fountain to the Company, the relationship among Altman, Haber, Van Benthem and Ewart, and whether the options, warrants and FGD shares constitute interest under the Interest
Act and/or section 347 of the Criminal Code.
About First Global Data Ltd. (www.firstglobaldata.com)
First Global is an international financial services technology ("FINTECH") company. The Company's two main lines of business
are mobile payments and cross border payments. First Global's proprietary leading edge technology enables the convergence of
compliant domestic and cross border payments, shopping, Peer to Peer ("P2P"), Business to Consumer ("B2C"), and Business to
Business ("B2B") payments. First Global enables its strategic partners and clients around the world with our leading edge
financial services technology platform.
Caution:
Neither TSX Venture Exchange Inc. ("TSXV") nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in
the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
The securities offered have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered
or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the
registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor
shall there be any sale of the securities offered in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be
unlawful.
Forward Looking Information:
This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Although
First Global believes in light of the experience of its officers and directors, current conditions and expected future
developments and other factors that have been considered appropriate, that the expectations reflected in this forward-looking
information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because First Global can give no assurance that they will
prove to be correct. Readers are cautioned to not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Actual results and
developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. The statements in this press release are made as
of the date of this release. First Global undertakes no obligation to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by
third-parties in respect of First Global, its securities, or financial or operating results (as applicable). First Global
disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information,
future events or results or otherwise, other than as required by applicable securities laws.
SOURCE First Global Data Limited
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