Nigeria's interior ministry revokes the residence permit of British businessman Roger Brown

NIGERIA'S federal government has revoked the visa and residence permits of British businessman Roger Brown asking him to leave the country immediately amid allegations of racism and claims that he discriminated against Nigerians in his dealings.

Mr Brown, a British businessman and the chief executive of Seplat Energy, has had his visitor's visa, as well as his residence and work permits all revoked. Having been kicked out of Nigeria, his oil and gas exploration and production company will no longer be able to operate in the country.

According to the Federal Ministry of the Interior, Mr Brown was guilty of favouring foreign workers and discrimination against Nigerian employees. Testimony was received from several witnesses, which supported the allegations but Mr Brown declined to attend despite two invitations to defend himself, claiming to be unavailable even though he was in Abuja at the time.

Having refused to appear before the panel set up to investigate the claims, the ministry decided to expel Mr Brown. Consequently, in a letter dated March 3, the minister of the interior, Mr Rauf Aregbesola wrote to Mr Brown, revoking all his rights in Nigeria.

His letter read: “I write to inform you that the ministry is in receipt of a petition from the solicitor to the concerned workers and stakeholders of Seplat Energy accusing Mr Roger Thomson Brown, the chief executive of the companies of various allegations. Investigation and records in the ministry also revealed that Mr Brown was in possession of Cerpac that was not based on validly issued expatriate quota approved by the ministry of interior, resulting to the violation of relevant immigration laws and regulations.

"As a result of these, the honourable minister has determined that Mr Brown’s continued stay in Nigeria is contrary to our national interest. Consequently, the ministry has withdrawn the work permit Cerpac, visa, residence permit and all relevant documents that authorised Mr Brown’s entry or stay in Nigeria.”

Mr Brown, joined Seplat in 2013, as the chief financial officer and was made the company’s chief executive in November 2019. However, he effectively assumed the office in 2020.