Erin Energy Corp. (NYSE: ERN), an independent exploration company focused on sub-Sahara Africa, said that Segun Omidele has resigned as CEO and as a member of the board of directors, effective Feb. 22. Omidele’s departure from the company is expected in the coming weeks while he assists in the transfer to Interim CEO Jean-Michel Malek.

Malek is senior vice president, general counsel, and secretary, and will serve while the board conducts a search for a permanent CEO.

“On behalf of the board of directors of Erin Energy, I thank Segun for his service to the company. Segun’s leadership and knowledge of the business and region have proved exceptionally valuable to our company. The board is satisfied that all major projects and initiatives are well in hand and proceeding as planned,” said John Hofmeister, chairman of the board, in a statement.

Omidele served in various positions with the company beginning in September 2011 and was COO from September 2015 until his appointment as CEO in May 2016.

Malek, 60, has been with the company since November 2015. Prior to joining Erin Energy, he was with CAMAC International Corp., where he served as executive vice president and general counsel since January 2011 and prior to that as senior vice president and general counsel since January 2007.

He holds a law degree from the University Of Texas School Of Law and has a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from the University of Texas at Austin. From 2007 until 2012, he served as Honorary Consul of Namibia for the State of Texas.