FG Drags Seplat’s CEO, Others to Court over Alleged Breach of Immigration Law

The federal government has instituted legal action against the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Seplat Energy Plc, Mr. Roger Brown as well as the oil firm, for allegedly breaching the extant provisions of the Immigration Act, 2015.

Sued alongside the CEO was the Board Chairman, Mr. Basil Omiyi, the Independent Non-Executive Directors (INED) Dr. Charles Okeahalam, Mrs. Bashirat Odunewu, Prof. Fabian Ajogwu, Mr. Rabiu Bello, Ms Emma Fitzgerald, and Company Secretary/Legal Counsel, Mrs. Edith Onwuchekwa.

In the suit filed before the Federal High Court on April 6, the defendants were accused of allowing Brown to accept employment as the CEO of Seplat Energy without the statutory approval of the Controller-General of Immigration, conspiring among yourselves to allow Brown take over business as CEO of Seplat Energy without the consent of the Minister of Interior, allowing him, a non-Nigerian to accept employment as CEO of Seplat after withdrawal of his visa, resident, and work permits, and for refusing to apply for the Comptroller-General of Immigration’s approval before employing Brown both as Chief Finance Officer and CEO, contrary to the provisions of the Immigration 2015.

The four-count charge read: “That you on or before the 9th day of March, 2023 at Seplat Energy Plc Head Office 16 A Temple Road Ikoyi Lagos, within the Jurisdiction of the Honourable Court, did conspire among yourselves to allow Mr. Roger Brown accept employment as CEO 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.

“That you did conspire among yourselves to allow Mr Roger Brown take over business as Chief Executive Officer of Seplat Energy PLC without the consent of the Minister of Interior, contrary to Section 36 (1) (b) and punishable under Section 36 (2) and Section 105 of the Immigration Act 2015.

“That you, on or before the 9th day of March, 2023 at Seplat Energy PLC Head Office 16 A Temple Road, Ikoyi Lagos, within the Jurisdiction of the Honourable Court, you as director, secretary, members of board of directors of Seplat Energy PLC as the case may be, did instigate, encourage, connive, by neglect on your part, allow Mr. Roger Thompson Brown, a non- Nigerian to accept employment as Chief Executive Officer of Seplat Energy Plc even after withdrawal of his immigration documents, contrary Sections 36, 71 and 105 of the Immigration Act 2015 and punishable under Sections 36(2) 105(1) of the Immigration Act 2015.

“That you did refuse to make an application to the Comptroller-General of Immigration for his permission before employing Mr. Roger Thompson Brown both as Chief Finance Officer and Chief Executive Officer of Seplat Energy Plc, contrary to Section 38(1) of the Immigration Act 2015 and punishable under Section 38(5) of the Immigration Act 2015.”

Although court sources said the defendants have been served, arraignment date is yet to be fixed.

The lawsuit is marked: FHC/AB/CR/149/2023.

The federal government had on March 3, revoked the visa, Resident Permit, and Work Permit of Seplat’s CEO, Roger Brown, over alleged racist practices, discrimination against Nigerian employees at Seplat, favouring of expatriate workers, and breach of good governance codes.

It also alleged that Brown refused to honour investigations invitations by the Ministry in the course of its investigation.

The letter to Seplat entitled, “Withdrawal of Work Permit, CERPAC, Visa/Residence Permit of Mr. Roger Thompson Brown – CEO, SEPLAT Energy Plc,” also read in part: “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 Honourable 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.”

However, in a swift reaction, Seplat Energy, had in a statement signed by the Board Chairman, Mr. Basil Omiyi, said: “On March 8, 2023, the Board of Seplat Energy unanimously passed a vote of confidence in Mr. Brown, who continues to discharge his duties and responsibilities as CEO from the Seplat UK office.”