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 a corporate notice filed with the Nigerian Exchange Limited, Seplat said that it was aware of the suit 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.
In a statement by Omiyi on Thursday, the company expressed confidence that the judicial process will address the situation appropriately.
Meanwhile, Seplat denied allegations levelled against Brown by some petitioners. The allegations include racism, favouritism for expatriate workers, discrimination against Nigerians, and breach of the good governance code.
“These allegations are a spurious and vindictive reaction to the enforcement of corporate governance standards in the Company by the Board of Seplat Energy.
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.
Just last week, a federal high court in Lagos vacated the interim ex-parte order.
