Oil Firm Faults EFCC for Declaring MD Wanted, Says Court Order Was Ignored

Chappal Energies has expressed strong concern over a public notice issued by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) declaring its Managing Director, Ufoma Immanuel, wanted. The company said the move violates an existing court order and sidesteps established legal procedures.

The EFCC had on Wednesday announced via its social media platforms that Immanuel was wanted over alleged offences involving obtaining money by false pretence and forgery.

But in a statement on Thursday, Chappal Energies said Nigerian law requires investigators to make reasonable attempts to contact individuals or organisations before issuing warrants or publishing wanted notices. It stated that neither the company nor Immanuel received any communication from the EFCC before the public alert.

The firm stressed that its Managing Director remains “fully reachable” through official addresses, phone lines and email, all of which are publicly available. It said the EFCC’s sudden declaration, despite this accessibility, creates “an unfortunate impression of a public escalation where standard procedures were readily available.”

Chappal Energies linked the development to coordinated pressures arising from an ongoing civil dispute.

Court documents made available to The Guardian show that on 11 September 2025, Justice J.E. Obanor of the Federal Capital Territory High Court granted an interlocutory injunction restraining the EFCC and other respondents from inviting, questioning, arresting or detaining Immanuel, or taking any action against the company. The firm argued that the injunction remains valid, raising concerns about the legality of the EFCC’s announcement.

“Issuing a wanted notice despite a binding court order creates the impression of external actors seeking public spectacle and mischief rather than adherence to due process,” the statement added.

While maintaining respect for the statutory responsibilities of government agencies, the company said it remains willing to cooperate with authorities “through the proper legal channels.”

EFCC Insists It Acted Legally

A senior EFCC official who spoke to The Guardian rejected the company’s allegations, insisting that the Commission followed all required procedures before declaring Immanuel wanted.

“Before he was declared wanted, we exhausted the appropriate legal channels,” the official said. “We have a lawful arrest warrant, and he was invited several times to respond to the allegations, but he refused.”

Responding to the issue of the court order, the official questioned whether the injunction specifically barred the Commission from issuing a wanted notice.

“The EFCC is not a frivolous organisation,” he said. “Before we declare anyone wanted, we ensure we are on firm legal ground. We got a lawful warrant.”

The EFCC source added that while the agency remains mindful of legal concerns raised, Immanuel’s refusal to honour invitations made the public declaration necessary.