Alleged racism: Roger Brown resumes as Seplat CEO | FG restores work permit

Seplat Energy Plc says the federal government has restored the immigration documents of Roger Brown, its chief executive officer (CEO).

The company disclosed this known in a statement on Tuesday, signed by Basil Omiyi, Seplat’s board chairman.

On March 3, 2023, the federal government revoked the immigration documents of Brown following allegations bordering on racism by aggrieved stakeholders of the company.

Seplat refuted the accusations, saying Brown would continue to “discharge his duties and responsibilities as CEO from the UK office”.

In April, the federal government instituted a four-count charge against Seplat and its top executives 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 Brown accept employment as CEO “without the consent of the comptroller-general of immigration”.

Seplat, later in the month, announced that the federal government had withdrawn the lawsuit.

In an update on the matter, Seplat said Brown can now legally enter, work, and remain in Nigeria.

“Seplat Energy is pleased to announce that the ministry of interior (ministry) and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) have restored the working permit, combined expatriate residence permit and aliens card (CERPAC) and other visas for the entry or stay in Nigeria (immigration documents) of the company’s chief executive officer (CEO), Mr. Roger Brown,” the statement reads.

The company previously announced that the immigration documents were withdrawn by the ministry following false allegations of racism, unfair prejudice, discrimination, and improper immigration status made by certain individuals parading as “concerned workers and stakeholders of Seplat Energy Plc”.

“The company cooperated fully with the verification checks conducted by the immigration authorities, which resulted in the restored immigration status of Roger Brown. In view of the restored immigration documents, Mr. Brown can now validly enter, work, and stay in Nigeria and today has resumed his position as CEO of Seplat Energy,” Omiyi said.

“The board and management of Seplat Energy Plc are pleased that Mr. Brown has resumed his role as CEO, as the company continues to make strong strides in delivering its 2023 operational targets.”