By Dipo Olowookere
The embattled chief executive of Seplat Energy Plc, Mr Roger Brown, has delegated his authority to the chief operating officer (COO) of the company, Mr Samson Ezugworie, pending the time the issues he has with the Nigerian government are resolved.
The federal government had revoked the visa, work and residence permits issued to him over allegations of unfair, prejudicial, and offensive acts, which the organisation has vehemently refuted.
In a statement on Friday, Seplat confirmed that it has been served “court processes and ex-parte Interim Order of the Justice C. J. Aneke of the Federal High Court, Lagos, Nigeria, restraining the Chief Executive Officer, Mr Roger Brown, from participating in the running of the company for a period of 7 days.”
In the notice made available to Business Post, the energy firm stated that, “The order allows the Chairman, Mr Basil Omiyi, and all the INEDs of Seplat Energy to continue running the affairs of the company on the basis that it is in accordance with Nigerian law.”
“Mr Brown has delegated authority to Mr Samson Ezugworie, Chief Operating Officer, to act as CEO during the period that he is required to step back from his executive duties,” the disclosure added.
Seplat assured that it would “follow the due processes of law in responding to the allegations before the courts.”
“At the same time, the company will continue to maintain its operational excellence and act in line with the best corporate governance standards,” it noted.
It was gathered that the injunction against Seplat was filed by Messrs Moses Igbrude, Sarat Kudaisi, Kenneth Nnabike, Ajani Abidoye and Robert Ibekwe, who claim to have shares in the organisation.
The company has described the allegations against Mr Brown as “a spurious and vindictive reaction to the board’s enforcement of corporate governance standards and a determination to continue to uphold their fiduciary duties and loyalty to the company.”
In the midst of the troubles, “The board of Seplat Energy has unanimously passed a vote of confidence in Mr Brown as the CEO.”
