The federal government has filed charges against energy company Seplat Energy and some of its directors and officers over an alleged breach of the Immigration Act.
Seplat said the suit relates to the immigration status of its CEO Roger Brown and the withdrawal of his immigration visa by the interior ministry.
– Why this matters
Seplat Energy is Nigeria’s biggest indigenous energy company in terms of market value. The company, listed on the Lagos and London stock exchanges, has recently been embroiled in a dispute with some of its workers and stakeholders.
– Key points to note
It began with a petition by some Seplat workers to the interior minister, Rauf Aregbesola, accusing Mr Brown, a British national, of racism and discrimination and breach of corporate governance.
The ministry on March 3 said it had withdrawn Mr Roger’s work permit, residence permit and visa. On March 8, Seplat Energy’s board expressed their disagreement with the accusations against Mr Brown and passed a vote of confidence in his leadership.
Mr Brown continued to perform his duties from the Seplat UK office. Two days later, the company announced that he had stepped down from his position following a court order prohibiting him from identifying himself as CEO.
Last week, Seplat reported that it has vacated the order. The lawsuit represents the latest chapter in the crisis.
The government has filed a four-count charge against the company, accusing it of allowing Mr Brown to accept employment without the statutory approval of the controller-general of Immigration, conspiring to allow him to take over the business without the consent of the minister of interior.
The government also accused them of allowing a non-Nigerian to accept employment as CEO after the withdrawal of his immigration documents, contrary to federal laws.
– Learn more
The first count alleged that Seplat Energy, its CEO, its chairman, Company Secretary Edith Onwuchekwa and directors including Charles Okehalam, Fabian Ajogwu, Rabiu Bello, Bashirat Odunewu and Emma Fitgerald (all of them defendants) conspired among themselves to allow Mr Brown accept employment as the CEO without the consent of the comptroller general of immigration, Premium Times reported.
Seplat said in a statement on Thursday that it “continues to follow the rule of law and uphold high standards of corporate governance.”
The company said it “remains confident that it has provided all of the required documentation to the Ministry of Interior and the judicial process will address the circumstances appropriately.”
Mr Brown joined Seplat as Chief Financial Officer in 2013, and following the retirement of the then-CEO assumed the chief role on 1 August 2020.
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