By Adewale Sanyaolu
Seplat Energy Plc, has said that the Nigeria Immigration Service( has withdrawn and discontinued the legal action it instituted at the Federal High Court (acting for the Federal Government of Nigeria) against the Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of the energy firm over allegations of racism and discrimination.
The Notice of Withdrawal/Discontinuance of the action was dated April 6, 2023, and issued by the Director Legal Services of the Nigeria Immigration Service and stated in part that “the Claimant hereby discontinues all the proceedings in this charge against the above-named Defendants”.
Seplat said the Company continues to engage with the Ministry of Interior to bring closure to the false allegations presented to the Ministry as a result of which the residency status of its Chief Executive Officer was withdrawn.
“The Company also refers to its announcement of April 6, 2023 confirming that the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos had vacated the ex parte Interim Orders against Seplat, its CEO and its Board Chairman, including the orders that restrained the Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Roger Brown from participating in the running of the Company.
This announcement is made further to the Company’s announcement of 13 March 2023 and pursuant to Rule 17.10 of the Rulebook of the Nigerian Exchange, 2015 (Issuer’s Rule),’’.
Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, had in March revoked the work permit, visa, and residence permit of Brown, over allegations of racism, preference of foreign workers and discriminating against Nigerian employees levelled against him by workers of the company.
The Federal Government equally accused Brown of being in possession of a Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC) not based on a valid Expatriate Quota. It was also alleged that Mr Brown failed to honour invitations by the Ministry’s panel, which investigated the matter.
The revocation was contained in a March 3, 2023 letter to the Board Chairman of Seplat Energy PLC by the Minister of Internal Affairs, which was sighted by our reporter at the Federal High Court Lagos, where some concerned stakeholders, instituted a legal proceeding against Seplat in this respect.
The letter was entitled “Withdrawal of Work Permit, CERPAC, Visa/Residence Permit of Mr. Roger Thompson Brown – CEO, SEPLAT Energy PLC.” “I write to inform you that the Ministry is in receipt of a petition from the Solicitor to the concerned workers and stakeholders of Seplat Energy PLC accusing Mr. Rogers Thomson Brown, the CEO of the companies of various allegations.
“These accusations include racism, favouring foreign workers and discriminating against Nigerian employees. Testimony was received from several witnesses, which supported the allegations. Mr. Roger T. Brown, declined to attend despite two invitations, claiming to be unavailable even though we learnt he was in Abuja for other purposes at the time.
Investigation and records in the Ministry also revealed that Mr. Roger Brown was in possession of CERPAC that was not based on validly issued Expatriate Quota approved by the Ministry of Interior resulting to the violation of relevant Immigration Laws and Regulations. As a result of these, the Minister has determined that Mr. Brown’s continued stay in Nigeria is contrary to national interest.”
Consequently, the Ministry has withdrawn the Work Permit CERPAC, Visa, Residence Permit and all relevant documents that authorised Mr. Roger Thomson Brown’s entry or stay in Nigeria”, the letter stated.