Racism Allegation: Seplat Names Ezugworie as interim CEO

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    Seplat Energy Plc, has appointed Samson Ezugworie as its acting Chief Executive Officer CEO.

    He will hold sway as the company’s helmsman pending the period  Roger Brown, the embattled former CEO, is required to step back from his executive duties as directed by a Nigerian Court.

    Ezugworie was the company’s Chief Operating Officer, before his present appointment, a statement said.

    The statement which was issued by its board chairman, Basil Omiyi, said that the company was on March 9, 2023, served with court processes and ex-parte Interim Order of the Justice C. J. Aneke of the Federal High Court, Lagos, Nigeria, restraining the Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Roger Brown from participating in the running of the Company for a period of 7 days.

    “The interim orders are based on allegations of unfair, prejudicial, and offensive acts by the Chairman, CEO, and all of the Independent Non-Executive Directors, INEDs, of Seplat Energy”, the statement said.

    It also said the allegations include that the CEO organised a site visit for a number of its major shareholders to the Company’s operations, cancelled some catering and landscaping contracts, and introduced a new job performance rating.

    “The Board believes these allegations are a spurious and vindictive reaction to the Board’s enforcement of corporate governance standards and a determination to continue to uphold their fiduciary duties and loyalty to the Company. The Board of Seplat Energy has unanimously passed a vote of confidence in Brown as the CEO”, added the statement.

    “Seplat Energy refutes the allegations and notes that since Brown became CEO in 2020, Nigerian nationals have been appointed to the company’s most important positions, including Chairman, Senior Independent Non Executive Director, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Operating officer.

    “The order allows the Chairman, Basil Omiyi, and all the INEDs of Seplat Energy to continue running the affairs of the Company on the basis that it is in accordance with Nigerian law. Brown has delegated authority to Samson Ezugworie, Chief Operating Officer, to act as CEO during the period that he is required to step back from his executive duties.

    “The injunction was filed by Messrs. Moses Igbrude, Sarat Kudaisi, Kenneth Nnabike, Ajani Abidoye, and Robert Ibekwe, who purport to have shares in Seplat Energy Plc. Seplat will follow the due processes of law in responding to the allegations before the courts. At the same time, the company will continue to maintain its operational excellence and act in line with the best corporate governance standards”

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