Who Is Ufoma Immanuel, The Energy Executive Declared Wanted By The EFCC?

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared Ufoma Joseph Immanuel, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Chappal Energies, wanted over allegations of obtaining money by false pretence and forgery. The development has stirred reactions within the energy sector, particularly from Chappal Energies, which has criticized the manner in which the public notice was issued.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the EFCC said Immanuel, 46, is wanted in connection with an ongoing investigation. The notice described him as an indigene of Edo State, listing his last known address as 77 Nelson Mandela Street, Maitama, Abuja. The anti-graft agency urged Nigerians with useful information on his whereabouts to report to any of its offices across the country or reach out via its hotline and official email.

Immanuel, a founding partner of Chappal Energies, was appointed Managing Director of the company’s petroleum development arm in January 2021. Before joining Chappal, he served as the head of corporate finance and strategy at Eroton Exploration and Production. Chappal Energies positions itself as an ESG-focused, energy-independent company dedicated to maximising value from distressed brownfield upstream assets in the Niger Delta.

In recent months, the company faced setbacks, including the collapse of an $860 million asset divestment deal with TotalEnergies after failing to meet key financial obligations. The failed transaction heightened scrutiny around the firm’s operations and finances.

The EFCC has not disclosed specific details of the alleged fraud but confirmed the case is active and investigations are ongoing. 

Reacting to the EFCC’s notice, Chappal Energies issued a strongly worded statement on Thursday, expressing surprise over what it described as a deviation from established enforcement procedures. The company claimed that neither Immanuel nor the organisation was contacted before the public declaration, despite being “fully reachable through official addresses, phone lines and electronic contacts.”

According to the company, the notice contradicts an existing court order. Chappal Energies revealed that on September 11, 2025, Justice J.E. Obanor of the Federal Capital Territory High Court granted an interlocutory injunction restraining the EFCC from inviting, arresting, detaining or taking any action against Immanuel or the company. It said this injunction remains valid, raising questions about the legality and timing of the EFCC’s latest move.

The firm alleged that the situation may be linked to “coordinated pressures” arising from an ongoing civil dispute, hinting at the involvement of external actors seeking to escalate tensions publicly rather than follow due process.

Despite the controversy, the company insisted its operations remain stable and that it will pursue appropriate legal remedies. “Chappal Energies continues to respect the roles of all statutory institutions, including the EFCC, and remains committed to full cooperation with all relevant authorities through proper legal channels,” the statement added.

As the case develops, public attention now centres on the EFCC’s next steps, the validity of the court order cited by Chappal Energies, and the broader implications for corporate governance and regulatory processes in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.