Roger Brown: SEPLAT CEO steps down, work permit, visa revoked

Roger Brown will step down from his position as SEPLAT CEO.

• The decision to revoke Roger Brown borders on racism allegations.

• He was initially expected to continue working from UK as SEPLAT CEO but a federal high court judgement changed everything.

Seplat Energy PLC has announced that its Chief Executive Officer, Roger Brown, a Briton, has stepped down from office.

This follows an order from a Federal High Court in Lagos restraining Roger Brown from parading himself as the firm’s CEO.

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The court order was issued following a suit filed against Roger Brown and others by aggrieved stakeholders of the company, who are believed to be Nigerian workers.

The stakeholders had accused Roger Brown of racism, favoritism for expatriate workers, discrimination against Nigerians, and breach of good governance.

In a statement made available to Legit.ng, Seplat’s board chairman Basil Omiyi announced that Roger Brown had delegated his duties to Samson Ezugwore to act as CEO while the court case continues.

Ezugwore, who is the company’s Chief Operating Officer, will hold the position for at least the next 7 days in compliance with the court order.

Reasons For Resignation 

Brown’s allegations before the court include organizing a site visit for several major shareholders, cancelling some catering and landscaping contracts, and introducing a new job performance rating.

However, the board of Seplat Energy has described these allegations as false, and stated that Nigerians have been appointed to the company’s most important positions since Roger Brown became CEO in 2020.

The board also believes that the allegations were made in response to its enforcement of corporate governance standards and its determination to uphold its fiduciary duties to the company.

Part of the statement reads, “In Mr. Brown’s absence, Mr. Samson Ezugwore, the Chief Operating Officer, has been given the authority to act as CEO. Seplat Energy will adhere to legal procedures when addressing the allegations in court.”

 

ENIGERIA NEWSPAPER