Court Vacates Order Barring Roger Brown As Seplat’s CEO

A federal high court in Lagos has vacated the interim ex-parte order stopping Roger Brown from identifying himself as the chief executive officer (CEO) of Seplat Energy Plc.

The presiding judge,  Chukwujekwu Aneke set aside the order while ruling on the applications filed by Seplat Energy, Roger Brown, Basil Omiyi, Seplat’s board chairman, and persons affected by the ex-parte order in the case.

“I find as a fact that the petitioners’ grouse can adequately be accommodated under the provisions of section 354 of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA), which falls within the jurisdiction of this court,” he said.

“I find and hold that the petitioners have locus standi to bring the petition before the court. Furthermore, this court has jurisdiction to adjudicate on the suit as it falls within the provision of section 251 of the constitution. However, by virtue of order 26 rules 9 and 10 of the federal high court Civil Procedure Rules 2019, the interim orders of the court made on 8th March 2023 are hereby discharged and vacated.”

The case was adjourned to May 16, 2023, for accelerated hearing.

Last month, a Lagos federal high court restrained Brown from carrying out his official duties pending the determination of a suit instituted against him.

The suit was instituted against Brown and other respondents by aggrieved stakeholders of the company over allegations of racism, favouring of expatriate workers, discrimination against Nigerians, and breach of good governance.