FG Revokes Seplat CEO Roger Brown’s Visa, Work Permit After He Refused Invites, Company reacts
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Roger Brown’s work permit, visa, and residence permit have all been revoked by the Ministry of Interior. Roger Brown is the CEO of Seplat Energy Plc, one of Nigeria’s major oil companies.
Due to accusations of racism, favoritism toward foreign employees, and discrimination against Nigerian employees made against him by some of the company’s employees, the Ministry took action.
BusinessDay reported that the Minister of Internal Affairs informed the Seplat Energy Plc Board Chairman of the revocation in a letter dated March 3, 2023.
Roger, a British national who joined Seplat in 2013 as the CFO, was chosen as the next CEO of the business in November 2019 but actually took over the position in 2020.
Why was the CEO of Seplat’s visa revoked?
The Federal Government additionally charged Brown with possessing a Combination Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC) that was not based on an authorized Expatriate Quota.
The letter to Seplat Energy was entitled “Withdrawal of Work Permit, CERPAC, Visa/Residence Permit of Mr. Roger Thompson Brown – CEO, SEPLAT Energy Plc” was signed by Akinola M. Adesina, director 2, citizenship and business for honorable minister, addressed to the chairman board of directors of SEPLAT.
“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.”
Brown was also accused by the Federal Government of being in possession of a Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC) not based on a valid Expatriate Quota. The statement continued: “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.
Company reacts
Meanwhile, Nigerian energy firm, Seplat Energy Plc, has denied racism and favouritism allegations. Seplat Energy asserted that the allegations were pre-planned and intended to disseminate inaccurate information.
The company also emphasized that it will communicate with Nigeria’s Ministry of Interior to elucidate the accusations.
