FG Withdraws Case Against Seplat, Roger Brown, Others

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

The legal action instituted against Seplat Energy Plc and its chief executive, Mr Roger Brown, by the federal government, has been withdrawn.

The energy firm disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday and signed by the chairman of the company’s board of directors, Mr Basil Omiyi.

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) had dragged Seplat before a Federal High Court in Abuja on behalf of the national government.

The agency accused the organisation of breaching the country’s immigration law, forcing the Minister of Interior, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, to revoke the visa and working permit issued to Mr Brown.

In the notice it released today, Seplat said the government had discontinued the suit.

“Seplat Energy is pleased to announce that it has become aware of the Notice of Withdrawal/Discontinuance of the legal action that was previously instituted at the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, by the Nigeria Immigration Service (acting for the Federal Government of Nigeria) against the company and some of its directors and officers.

“The Notice of Withdrawal/Discontinuance of the action dated April 6, 2023, was issued by the Director Legal Services of the Nigeria Immigration Service and stated in part that the claimant hereby discontinues all the proceedings in this charge against the above-named defendants.

“The company continues to engage with the Ministry of Interior to bring closure to the false allegations presented to the Ministry, as a result of which the residency status of its Chief Executive Officer was withdrawn.

“The company also refers to its announcement of April 6, 2023, confirming that the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos had vacated the ex parte Interim Orders against Seplat, its CEO and its Board Chairman, including the orders that restrained the Chief Executive Officer, Mr Roger Brown from participating in the running of the company,” the disclosure said.