Chappal Energies CEO Immanuel Challenges N600M Theft Charge

Ufoma Immanuel, the Chief Executive Officer of Chappal Energies, has contested the jurisdiction of the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja over a N600 million theft and dishonest conversion charge brought against him by the Police Special Fraud Unit. Represented by his counsel, Oluseun Awonuga (SAN), Immanuel filed a preliminary objection on September 22, seeking dismissal of the charges, which he described as an abuse of the criminal justice process.

Despite this objection, Justice Rahman Oshodi proceeded with Immanuel’s arraignment, where he pleaded not guilty. The police allege that Immanuel conspired with others to steal a Lexus LA 600F SUV valued at approximately N600 million and converted it for personal use, with the alleged offences occurring in Lagos on January 6 and 12, 2026, while he was a suspended director of Chappal Energies Offshore Limited.

The prosecution argued that Immanuel could not challenge the charge's validity until he entered his plea, while the defence maintained that the court's competence should be determined first.