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Chappal Energies has raised strong concerns over the public notice issued by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) regarding its Managing Director, Ufoma Immanuel, describing the development as a departure from standard legal procedure and a move that creates an unnecessary public spectacle.
In a detailed statement issued on Wednesday, the company said it was “aware” of the notice but surprised by the approach taken, insisting that enforcement actions under Nigerian law are clearly guided by established protocols that require reasonable direct engagement before any escalation.
According to the company, neither Mr. Immanuel nor Chappal Energies received any official communication, invitation, or attempt at contact through their publicly available addresses, phone lines or electronic channels prior to the issuance of the notice.
“To our knowledge, no attempt was made to engage Mr. Immanuel or the company through these channels prior to the issuance of the notice,” the statement read. “This creates the unfortunate impression of a public escalation where standard procedures were readily available.”
Chappal Energies described both its Managing Director and the company itself as “fully reachable” and stressed that it maintains open channels for engagement with regulators, government agencies, and other authorised entities.
The company suggested that the latest action may not be unconnected to what it called “coordinated pressures” arising from an ongoing civil dispute. It recalled that the tensions around the matter had previously culminated in a court order issued by Hon. Justice J.E. Obanor of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory.
On 11 September 2025, the court granted an interlocutory injunction restraining the EFCC and other named respondents from inviting, questioning, arresting, detaining or taking any action against Mr. Immanuel or Chappal Energies pending the determination of the substantive suit. The company emphasised that this order “remains in force.”
The issuance of the EFCC notice in spite of the subsisting injunction, the company argued, deepens concerns about the motivations behind the move. “The circumstances surrounding this public notice, despite a binding court order, creates the impression of external actors seeking public spectacle and mischief rather than adherence to legal due process,” the statement added.
Chappal Energies reaffirmed its respect for statutory institutions, including the anti-graft agency, noting that it remains committed to cooperating fully through appropriate legal channels. However, it made clear that it would not hesitate to take necessary legal steps to challenge what it views as a procedural anomaly.
Despite the controversy, the company assured stakeholders that its business operations remain stable and unaffected. The leadership team, it insisted, remains focused on delivering long-term value in line with commitments to partners, regulators, and stakeholders.
“Chappal Energies continues to respect the roles of all statutory institutions… However, the company will take appropriate legal steps to address this development,” it concluded.
The unfolding situation sets the stage for a potentially significant legal and regulatory showdown, particularly as questions mount over compliance with court orders and adherence to due process in enforcement actions.
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