The recently departed finance chief of Aim-listed oil and gas company Savannah Energy (SAVE) has filed an Employment Tribunal claim against the company and its chief executive for “unfair dismissal, race and sex discrimination, harassment and victimisation”.
Isatou Semega-Janneh served as CFO until last month, when the Nigeria-focused company announced she would be leaving because of a restructure. Savannah’s shares have been suspended since June as it looks to acquire ExxonMobil’s (US:XOM) Chad and Cameroon assets.
Ms Semega-Janneh did not outline her exact claims of discrimination and harassment, but a spokesperson said they did not just relate to the circumstances in which she left the company. A spokesperson for Savannah said the claims were “unfounded” and it would “vigorously” defend them.
“The company and its board strongly refute all of the allegations,” the spokesperson said. “Ms Isatou Semega-Janneh left the company and the board as part of a wider restructuring of the finance function to support the company’s growth”.
On 12 August, Savannah said its “growth in recent years and the planned significant further expansion, the decision has been taken to restructure the finance function of the company”, with Ms Semega-Janneh leaving as a result. Her departure means Africa-focused Savannah has an all-male, all-white board.
The company is in “advanced exclusive discussions” for ExxonMobil’s Chad and Cameroon assets, but has not announced the price or when a formal offer would be made.
