Seplat Energy Plc. has announced the federal government’s withdrawal of its lawsuit against it over violation of Nigeria’s immigration law.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by Seplat on Thursday, April 20.
The statement noted that the federal government has filed a notice of discontinuance of the abuse of Nigeria’s immigration laws suit.
The statement of the withdrawal was issued by the Director, Legal Services, of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), while the company relayed it to the investing public on Thursday.
What the company is saying
According to the company, the ‘Notice of Withdrawal/Discontinuance of Immigration Suit against Seplat Energy and its Directors.’, was signed by the Board chairman, Basil Omiyi,
It wrote, “The Claimant hereby discontinues all the proceedings in this charge against the above-named Defendants.”
“This announcement is made further to the Company’s announcement of 13 March 2023 and pursuant to Rule 17.10 of the Rulebook of the Nigerian Exchange, 2015 (Issuer’s Rule),” Seplat added.
The FG Suit
The suit with the case number FHC/AB/CR/149/2023, was filed on April 6, at the Federal High Court (FHC), Abuja Division.
The FG challenged the company for evading the legal process of accepting and appointing a CEO.
Read also: Roger Brown, steps down as Seplat’s CEO, following court order
The federal government also accused the company of the appointment of Mr Roger Brown by disregarding the statutory approval of the Controller-General of Immigration.
The FG accused the defendants of allowing the CEO to accept employment as the CEO of Seplat Energy PLC without the statutory approval of the Controller-General of Immigration.
The defendants in the suit include Seplat Energy alongside its CEO, Mr. Roger Brown, Mr. Basil Omiyi, the Board Chairman, Dr. Charles Okeahalam, Independent Non-Executive Directors (INED), Mrs. Bashirat Odunewu, Prof. Fabian Ajogwu, Mr. Rabiu Bello, Ms. Emma Fitzgerald, and the Company Secretary/Legal Counsel, Mrs. Edith Onwuchekwa.
They were also accused of allowing the CEO who is a non-Nigerian to accept employment as CEO of Seplat after the withdrawal of his visa, resident, and work permits.
One of the allegations against them is that they conspired to allow the CEO to take over the business as CEO without the consent of the Minister of Interior.
They allegedly failed to apply for the Comptroller-General of Immigration’s approval before employing Mr. Brown both as Chief Finance Officer and CEO which was contrary to the provisions of the Immigration 2015.
Background
The FG in a letter on March 3, revoked the visa, Resident Permit and Work Permit issued to Seplat CEO, Mr. Brown.
The revocation was over alleged racist practices, discrimination against Nigerian employees at Seplat, favoring of expatriate workers, and breach of good governance codes.
Five persons who claimed to be minority shareholders of the company had filed a petition against Mr. Brown.
Following the petition, a federal high court in Lagos issued an order restraining Mr. Brown from participating in the company’s running for seven days.
He was accused of being unfair, prejudicial, and offensive and organizing a site visit for a number of its major shareholders to the company’s operations.
He was accused of canceling some catering and landscaping contracts and introduced a new job performance rating.
However, Seplat Energy in its argument said the petition lacks proper basis and is premised on false allegations
Subsequently, the court vacated the order and adjourned the matter to May 16, 2023.