EFCC Declares Chappal Energies CEO, Ufoma Immanuel, Wanted for Alleged Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared Ufoma Joseph Immanuel, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Chappal Energies, wanted over alleged involvement in obtaining money by false pretence and forgery.

In a public notice issued on Wednesday, the anti-graft agency said Immanuel is being sought in connection with a case of financial fraud currently under investigation.

> “The public is hereby notified that UFOMA JOSEPH IMMANUEL, whose photograph appears above, is wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in an alleged case of obtaining money by false pretence and forgery,” the statement read.

According to the EFCC, the 46-year-old Edo State indigene was last seen at 77 Nelson Mandela Street, Maitama, Abuja. The Commission has called on individuals with credible information on his whereabouts to report to any of its offices across the country, including branches in Ibadan, Uyo, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Benin, Makurdi, Kaduna, Ilorin, Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Gombe, Port Harcourt and Abuja.

Immanuel, a founding partner of Chappal Energies, was appointed Managing Director of Chappal Petroleum Development Company in January 2021. The company, which focuses on ESG-driven, energy-independent projects, specialises in extracting value from distressed brownfield upstream assets in the Niger Delta.

Before joining Chappal, Immanuel served as Head of Corporate Finance and Strategy at Eroton Exploration and Production.

His declaration as wanted comes months after the high-profile $860 million divestment deal between TotalEnergies and Chappal Energies collapsed in September, following Chappal’s failure to meet key financial obligations.

Falana Faces Backlash for Linking Gaduwa Dispute to 2015 Zaria Tragedy

Abuja – Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has come under intense criticism following remarks in which he compared a routine civil-military incident in Gaduwa to the tragic 2015 Zaria event.

The statements, widely described as reckless and inflammatory, drew sharp condemnation from the Concerned Defenders of National Consciousness and Integrity (CDNCI), a civil society group committed to safeguarding national memory and integrity.

In a strongly worded statement released on Saturday, the group accused Falana of engaging in “malicious and intellectually dishonest rhetoric” that diminishes the gravity of the Zaria tragedy. “To invoke the profound pain of Zaria—a complex event that shook the nation—as a flippant ‘what if’ scenario over a land dispute is the height of irresponsibility,” the statement said.

The CDNCI further emphasized that military generals are custodians of the state, sworn to protect Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. “To reduce this sacred responsibility to a crude analogy in a political dispute is an unforgivable display of ignorance regarding governance and statecraft,” the statement added.

The civil society group also questioned Falana’s motivations, suggesting that his comments marked a departure from the principled advocacy for which he has long been known. “This is the undignified downfall of a man once regarded as a social crusader. He has traded his mantle of social advocacy for political expediency,” the statement read.

The CDNCI called on Falana to issue a “profound and unequivocal apology” to the Nigerian people, the Armed Forces, and the families affected by past conflicts. The group warned that failure to do so could “cement his legacy not as a defender of the people, but as a merchant of discord.”

Falana’s comments, and the backlash they have sparked, underscore the sensitive nature of national memory in Nigeria and the expectations placed on public figures to uphold civil discourse.

WHY KOMOLAFE DESERVES HIS RECENT DOUBLE HONOURS IN LONDON

By Benjamin Francis

The recent bestowal of a Professional Doctorate in Leadership (Energy Law) and the Global Sustainable Leadership Award upon Engr. Gbenga Komolafe at the House of Lords in London represents far more than mere personal recognition. These distinguished honours serve as a powerful international endorsement of transformative leadership that has profoundly reshaped Nigeria’s upstream oil and gas sector through strategic vision and measurable, impactful results.

When Engr. Komolafe assumed leadership of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission in 2021, he inherited a sector plagued by regulatory uncertainty and deep investor skepticism. The recent enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act presented both a formidable challenge and a golden opportunity to fundamentally transform how Nigeria’s vast petroleum resources were governed and developed.

His immediate focus centered on establishing the NUPRC as a modern, facilitative regulator rather than a traditional bureaucratic obstacle. This bold vision materialized through the creation of transparent regulatory frameworks and inclusive consultative mechanisms that brought much-needed predictability and stability to the sector.

The establishment of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Centre emerged as a cornerstone initiative, strategically designed to resolve long-standing disputes that had trapped billions of dollars in potential investments. The tangible results of this regulatory transformation have been nothing short of remarkable and groundbreaking.

Nigeria’s active rig count, a crucial indicator of sector health and vitality, surged from a mere eight in 2021 to over forty, representing a five-fold increase that signaled renewed and robust investor confidence. This operational revival demonstrated that Komolafe’s reforms were effectively changing perceptions and realities within the investment community on a global scale.

Complementing this activity surge, the Commission demonstrated exceptional fiscal stewardship under Komolafe’s astute leadership. The NUPRC consistently surpassed its revenue targets, achieving remarkable surpluses of 18.3% in 2022, 14.6% in 2023, and an extraordinary 84.2% in 2024.

This outstanding fiscal performance directly contributed to Nigeria’s macroeconomic stability while reflecting improved compliance and robust oversight mechanisms. Perhaps most impressively, Komolafe’s tenure catalyzed the unlocking of Nigeria’s substantial hydrocarbon resources through strategic and forward-thinking development approvals. The commission greenlit 43 Field Development Plans in a single year, set to unlock 1.7 billion barrels of oil and 7.7 trillion cubic feet of gas, backed by over $20 billion in committed investment capital.

The revival extended to major projects that had remained dormant for years under previous administrations. Under Komolafe’s dynamic leadership, Final Investment Decisions were catalysed for landmark developments including the $5 billion Bonga North project, the $500 million Ubeta Gas project, and the $2 billion Shell HI Gas Project, representing a fundamental shift in investment momentum and sector dynamism.

The specific awarding of the Global Sustainable Leadership Award highlights Komolafe’s outstanding success in integrating sustainability principles into the sector’s core operations. His innovative approach transcended mere compliance, positioning environmental and social governance as strategic value creators rather than regulatory obligations.

In environmental stewardship, Komolafe championed the Upstream Decarbonisation Framework, incorporating advanced methane monitoring and carbon capture technologies while vigorously promoting the Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme. These forward-looking initiatives demonstrated that environmental responsibility and economic development could advance simultaneously and synergistically.

His most profound social impact emerged through the successful implementation of the Host Community Development Trust framework. Under his leadership, the trust fund grew to over ₦350 billion, with resources directly funding tangible community projects that addressed longstanding developmental deficits in oil-producing regions.

This community-focused approach yielded significant peace dividends in previously volatile regions, ensuring operational security while fostering shared prosperity and inclusivity. By building a sustainable social license for industry operations, Komolafe addressed a perennial challenge that had hampered sector performance for decades.

Simultaneously, Komolafe pursued a dual strategy of strengthening local capacity while engaging global partners. He staunchly supported indigenous participation, highlighting local acquisition deals exceeding $5 billion that built national capacity and diversified industry ownership.

Concurrently, his strategic international engagement involved direct discussions with global financial institutions to secure funding and de-risk the sector for international investors. This balanced and pragmatic approach ensured that Nigeria benefited from both local expertise and global capital and technology.

The Professional Doctorate in Leadership (Energy Law) specifically acknowledges Komolafe’s unique blend of technical expertise, legal acumen, and visionary leadership. His ability to navigate the complex interplay between energy development, regulatory frameworks, and sustainable growth exemplifies the sophisticated leadership required in today’s global energy landscape.

Ultimately, these London honours represent more than individual achievement; they symbolize Nigeria’s renewed credibility as a premier global energy destination. Through transparent governance, data-driven decision-making, and unwavering commitment to sustainable development, Komolafe has demonstrated that effective public-sector leadership can yield transformative outcomes that earn international recognition and respect.

…Francis writes from Abuja