The Federal High Court, Lagos has vacated an interim ex-parte order stopping Roger Brown from parading himself as the Chief Executive Officer of Seplat Energy Plc.
Justice Chukwuejekwu Aneke vacated the order while ruling on the applications filed by Seplat Energy PLC, Roger Brown, Basil Omiyi and persons affected by the ex parte order in the case.
The court held that 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 March 8, 2023, are hereby discharged and vacated.
The Judge was to rule on an application to set aside the ex-parte orders issued on March 8, 2023.
Justice Aneke said that because counsel to all of the Respondents was opposed to the application being heard, his request could not be granted.
Mr Brown was barred from parading himself as the CEO of Seplat Energy pending the outcome of the suit filed against him by some of the company’s disgruntled stakeholders over allegations of racism, favoring expatriate workers, discrimination against Nigerians, and breach of good governance.
However, the respondents, in their various applications, urged the court to set aside the ex-parte orders, contending that the Petitioners lacked the locus standi to file the suit.
Counsel to Seplat PLC, Mr Bode Olanipekun (SAN), submitted that the interim orders of the court had elapsed by the passage of time, and if the counsel to the petitioners/respondents concedes that the interim orders had expired and needs the formal orders of the court to be set aside.
In his ruling, Justice Aneke noted that the Petitioners had in their application alleged that the affairs of Seplat were being conducted in a manner that was illegal, oppressive and unfairly prejudicial to their interests.
Recall that C.J Aneke, a judge of the Federal High Court, Lagos, in early March issued the order against Mr Brown following allegations bordering on favouritism, racism, discrimination and breach of corporate governance by some stakeholders against the CEO.
The judge had also granted the prayer of the petitioners, including Moses Igbrude, Kenneth Nnabike, Sarat Kudaisi, Ajani Abidoye and Robert Ibekwe, requesting that Mr Omiyi and all independent non-executive directors be disallowed from running the company’s affairs “in an illegal, unfairly, prejudicial and oppressive manner pending the hearing and determination of the petitioners’ motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.”
Seplat Energy stated in the Thursday statement that the five persons claim to be minority shareholders of the company, altogether holding 161 units of shares.
“The Company maintains that the petition lacks proper basis and is premised on false allegations,” Seplat Energy said.
“Seplat Energy remains confident that the judicial process will address the circumstances appropriately. The Company continues to engage with the Ministry of Interior,” it added.
Justice Aneke adjourned the matter to May 16 for hearing.
