FG Lifts Ban On Seplat CEO, Roger Brown, Returns Visa, Work Permits

Seplat Chief Executive Officer, Roger Brown, has been allowed to return to Nigeria after the Federal Government returned his seized visa and work permits.

Brown’s work permit, Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC) and other visas for entry or stay in Nigeria was seized by the government over allegations of discrimination against Nigerian workers in Seplat. 

The CEO was accused by some stakeholders in the company of being racist to Nigerian workers. He was also accused of having improper immigration status.

As a result of losing the documents, Brown left Nigeria, relocating to the United Kingdom, where he performed his duties as the CEO of Seplat.

In the last two months, he and other top directors, including the chairman of Seplat, Basil Omiyi, were sued by the aggrieved stakeholders and the government.

However, on Tuesday, in a statement released by Omiyi, he revealed that Brown has retrieved his work and visa permits from the Ministry of Interior and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), and his restriction from Nigeria has been lifted.

The statement reads: “Seplat Energy is pleased to announce that the Ministry of Interior (“Ministry”) and the Nigeria Immigration Service (“NIS”) have restored the Working Permit, Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (“CERPAC”) and other Visas for the entry or stay in Nigeria (“Immigration Documents”) of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), Mr. Roger Brown. 

“The Company previously announced that the Immigration Documents were withdrawn by the Ministry, following false allegations of racism, unfair prejudice, discrimination and improper immigration status made by certain individuals parading as “concerned workers and stakeholders of Seplat Energy Plc”. 

“The Company cooperated fully with the verification checks conducted by the Immigration Authorities, which resulted in the restored immigration status of Roger Brown. In view of the restored Immigration Documents, Mr. Brown can now validly enter, work, and stay in Nigeria and today has resumed his position as CEO of Seplat Energy.

“The Board and Management of Seplat Energy Plc are pleased that Mr. Brown has resumed in his role as CEO, as the Company continues to make strong strides in delivering its 2023 operational targets”