Nigeria cancels Seplat CEO’s visa over alleged racism

Seplat Energy CEO Roger Brown

The Federal Government has revoked the visa, residence and work permits of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Seplat Energy Plc, Roger Brown, over alleged racism.

Brown was also accused of favouring foreign workers and discriminating against Nigerian employees.

The cancellation of his visa was conveyed in a letter titled “Withdrawal of Work Permit, CERPAC, Visa/Residence Permit of Mr. Roger Thompson Brown — CEO, SEPLAT Energy PLC”.

The Federal Government took the decision following a petition written to the Ministry of Interior by aggrieved Seplat workers.

The employees accused Brown of criminal and anti-Nigeria actions, adding that the “brazen practice of discrimination and victimization of Nigerians by Mr. Brown, if not checked, will ruin the gains made by this Nigerian company of the last 13 years of existence”.

They also accused him of “intimidation, bullying, and sacking of Nigerian staff of Seplat; intimidation of senior staff and members of senior management team; as well as abuse of corporate governance.

The letter reads: “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“Consequently, the Ministry has withdrawn the Work Permit CERPAC, Visa, Residence Permit and all relevant documents that authorised Mr.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.” But the letter did not give further details.

Meanwhile, Seplat Energy has denied any wrongdoing, saying the allegations were “spurious and vindictive” and orchestrated “to spread false information.”