By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The visa, work permit and residence permit issued by the Nigerian government to the chief executive of Seplat Energy, Mr Roger Brown, have been revoked, a report by Business Day said.
It was disclosed that the permits were withdrawn by the Minister of Interior, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, over allegations bordering on racism, and discrimination against Nigerian employees and others.
Mr Brown was appointed as the CEO of Seplat in 2020 after he joined the energy firm in 2013 as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO).
“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 company, 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 in the violation of relevant Immigration Laws and Regulations.
“As a result of these, the 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“Consequently, the Ministry has withdrawn the Work Permit CERPAC, Visa, Residence Permit and all relevant documents that authorised Mr Roger Thomson Brown’s entry or stay in Nigeria,” a letter addressed to the board of Seplat and signed by the Director for Citizenship and Business at the Ministry, Mr Akinola Adesina, stated.
According to Business Day, phone calls to the Director of External Affairs and Sustainability at Seplat Energy, Chioma Nwachuku, did not go through as at the time of the report.
