Seplat Board Directors Take Legal Action Against Co-founder, Orjiako

Seplat Energy has terminated a consultancy agreement with the firm’s co-founder, A.B.C Orjiako, accusing him of putting the company at risk of liability.

In a statement released on Thursday, 23 March 2023, Seplat said Orjiako and another company of his, Amaze Limited, which was offering consultancy work to Seplat, have been making significant commitments with Seplat’s letterhead without approval. 

Seplat said the actions could result in liability for Seplat and its Shareholders, Directors, and Officers. This led to the decision to terminate their consultancy agreement and sue Orjiako in court. 

It was gathered that Orjiako and his company had been warned before the termination, but he didn’t adhere to the warnings. 

“Seplat Energy Plc (Seplat Energy or the Company) announces the termination with immediate effect of the Consultancy Agreement between the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary and its co-founder, Dr. A.B.C Orjiako, acting through Amaze Limited. Under the Consultancy Agreement, Dr. Orjiako was obliged to provide defined assistance with certain external stakeholder engagements following his retirement from the Board after the 2022 Annual General Meeting in May 2022. 

“The termination follows the suspension of the Consultancy Agreement on 13 February 2023, as unanimously approved by the Board of Directors, following repeated warnings about breaches of a material nature, such as unilaterally making significant commitments on Seplat’s letterhead without prior Board authority or knowledge. 

“This course of action was necessary to protect the Company and its Shareholders, Directors, and Officers from potential and increasing liability arising from the conduct of the Consultants, Dr. Orjiako and Amaze Limited. 

“The Company has commenced legal action against Dr Orjiako and Amaze Limited at the Federal High Court in Abuja, to seek appropriate legal remedies. 

“Seplat Energy reiterates its commitment to high standards of corporate governance across all areas of its business. The matter is now sub judice and awaiting resolution by the Court,” the statement reads.