Court Frees Seplat’s Roger Brown From Restriction Amid Faceoff With Shareholders

Seplat Energy reported on Thursday, 6 April 2023, that the ex parte interim order against its Chief Executive Officer, Roger Brown, has been vacated by the Federal High Court in Lagos.

According to the oil and gas company, Brown will resume his responsibility as the CEO of Seplat Energy after the order was set aside.

Prime Business Africa had previously reported that the court barred Brown from parading himself as the CEO of Seplat. He was also ordered to temporarily stop his duties as CEO and prevented from acting through proxies, privies, and agents. 

As a result, Seplat appointed its Chief Operating Officer, Samson Ezugworie, as interim CEO pending the reversal of the court order.

After four weeks, Brown has returned to his post in the company, however, he will be carrying out his duties as CEO in the United Kingdom (UK) due to the restriction placed on his work permit in Nigeria by the Ministry of Interior. 

Recall that the ministry had stated that some aggrieved stakeholders of Seplat accused Brown of favouring foreign workers ahead of Nigerian employees. 

The stakeholders alleged Brown was racist in his conduct as CEO. This led to a probe by the ministry, and his work permit was seized, preventing him from working within Nigeria. 

Also, the aggrieved stakeholders, who are said to be five in number, are also behind the court order that restricted him from carrying out his duties for weeks. 

In a statement disclosing the new development, Seplat wrote: “The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, vacated the ex parte Interim Orders against Seplat, its CEO and its Board Chairman, including the orders that restrained the Chief Executive Officer, Mr Roger Brown from participating in the running of the Company.

“The case has been adjourned to May 16, 2023, to continue the hearing. The ex parte Interim Orders were in relation to a court petition filed by 5 persons who claim to be minority shareholders of the Company, collectively holding 161 units of shares.

“The Company maintains that the petition lacks proper basis and is premised on false allegations. Seplat Energy remains confident that the judicial process will address the circumstances appropriately. The Company continues to engage with the Ministry of Interior.”