Mr. Roger Brown, the CEO of Seplat Energy Plc, has had his work permit, visa, and residence permit withdrawn by the Ministry of Interior, Abuja, following claims of racism, favoring of foreign workers, and discrimination against Nigerian employees leveled against him by firm employees.
Brown was also accused of having a Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC) that was not based on a legitimate Expatriate Quota.
Brown was also accused of failing to honor invitations from the Ministry’s team that investigated the situation.
The revocation was stated in a March 3, 2023, letter from the Minister of Interior Affairs to the Board Chairman of Seplat Energy Plc, at the Federal High Court Lagos, where some concerned stakeholders today started a judicial process against Seplat in this regard.
The letter was entitled, “Withdrawal of Work Permit, CERPAC, Visa/Residence Permit of Mr. Roger Thompson Brown – CEO, SEPLAT Energy Plc”.
It stated: “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 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“Consequently, the Ministry has withdrawn the Work Permit CERPAC, Visa, Residence Permit and all relevant documents that authorised Mr.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.”
Brown, a British, joined Seplat in 2013, as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and was made the company’s CEO in November 2019, but effectively assumed the office in 2020.
The outcome of the court case was still being awaited as at the time of filing this report.
