The Chief Executive Officer of Seplat Energy Plc, Roger Thomas, has allegedly been accused by employees and some stakeholders of racism, favoritism of foreign workers, and discrimination against Nigerian employees.
Due to these allegations, the Nigerian Minister of Interior, Abuja, has revoked the work permit, visa, and residence permit of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Seplat Energy Plc, Mr. Roger Brown.
The federal government equally accused Brown of being in possession of a Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC) not based on a valid expatriate quota. It was also alleged that Brown failed to honor invitations from the ministry’s panel, which investigated the matter.
The revocation was contained in a March 3, 2023, letter from the Minister of Internal Affairs to the Board Chairman of Seplat Energy Plc by the Minister of Internal Affairs. The letter was entitled, “Withdrawal of Work Permit, CERPAC, Visa, and Residence Permit of Mr. Roger Thompson Brown, CEO, SEPLAT Energy Plc.”
It stated: “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, favoring 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 learned 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 a validly issued expatriate quota approved by the Ministry of Interior, resulting in a violation of relevant immigration laws and regulations.” As a result of these, the honorable 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“Consequently, the Ministry has withdrawn the work permit, CERPAC, visa, residence permit, and all relevant documents that authorized Mr. Roger Thomson Brown’s entry or stay in Nigeria,” the letter stated.
