TheCable

Seplat Energy Plc says it has provided all of the required documentation to the ministry of interior regarding the immigration status of Roger Brown, the company’s chief executive officer (CEO).

The company’s assertion follows a four-count charge, instituted on April 6, 2023, by the federal government against the energy firm; Basil Omiyi, its board chairman; as well as Brown, at a federal high court in Abuja, over an alleged breach of extant provisions of the Immigration Act, 2015.

In the suit, marked, FHC/AB/CR/149/2023, the defendants were accused of conspiring among themselves to allow Roger Brown accept employment as chief executive officer at Seplat Energy Plc “without the consent of the comptroller-general of immigration, contrary to section 36 (1)(a) and 71 of the Immigration Act, 2015, and punishable under section 36 (2) and section 71 (a) of the Immigration Act, 2015”.

In a statement by Omiyi on Thursday, the company expressed confidence that the judicial process will address the situation appropriately.

“Seplat Energy has become aware of a suit filed at the federal high court sitting in Abuja, by the Nigeria Immigration Service (acting for the federal government of Nigeria) against the company and some of its directors and officers. The suit is in relation to the immigration status of Mr. Roger Brown and the withdrawal of his immigration visa by the ministry of interior, ” the statement reads.

“The company refers to its announcement of 9th March 2023, and continues to follow the rule of law and uphold high standards of corporate governance.

“Seplat Energy remains confident that it has provided all of the required documentation to the ministry of interior and the judicial process will address the circumstances appropriately, while it continues to engage and cooperate with the immigration authorities in Nigeria.”

On March 3, 2023, the federal government had revoked the visa, resident permit, and work permit of Brown, following allegations of racism, favouring foreign workers, and discriminating against Nigerian employees, by aggrieved stakeholders of the company.

Seplat Energy refuted the accusations, saying on March 8, its board unanimously passed a vote of confidence in Brown, “who continues to discharge his duties and responsibilities as CEO from the Seplat UK office”.

But the company, on March 10, said Brown stepped down from his position following an ex-parte order stopping him from identifying himself as CEO of the company.

Last week, a federal high court in Lagos vacated the interim ex-parte order.