The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, has revoked the work permit, visa and residence permit of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Seplat Energy Plc, Mr Roger Brown, over allegations of racism, favouring of foreign workers and discrimination against Nigerian employees levelled against him by employees of the company.
The Nigerian government also accused Brown of being in possession of a Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC) not based on a valid Expatriate Quota.
He was also said to have failed to honour invitations by the ministry’s panel which investigated the matter.
A British, Roger joined Seplat as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in 2013 and became the company’s new CEO in November 2019 but effectively assumed the office in 2020.
BusinessDay reported that the revocation is contained in a March 3, 2023, letter addressed to the Board Chairman of Seplat Energy Plc by the Minister of Interior, which was sighted on Wednesday at the Federal High Court, Lagos, where some concerned stakeholders have instituted a legal proceeding against Seplat in this respect.
The letter was titled, “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“Consequently, the Ministry has withdrawn the Work Permit CERPAC, Visa, Residence Permit and all relevant documents that authorised Mr.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.”
The outcome of the court case is still expected.