Photos: Court Orders Final Forfeiture Of Private Jet Linked To NNPCL Fraud Probe

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the final forfeiture of a Hawker private jet linked to alleged fraud, corruption and money laundering connected to the Maiduguri Emergency Power Project.

Papers News reports that Justice Emeka Nwite granted the order on Monday following an application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The aircraft, identified as a Hawker 800XP with serial number 258553 and registration number 5N-AMK, was forfeited to the Federal Government.

In his ruling, Justice Nwite held that Valiente Jet Limited, a company linked to Abdulsalam Mustapha Kachallah, failed to provide sufficient evidence showing the lawful origin of the funds used to acquire the aircraft.

“The interested party has not demonstrated with evidence the lawful origin of the funds used to purchase the aircraft,” the judge ruled.

The court further noted that the manner in which the aircraft was purchased through a Bureau De Change operator who allegedly denied knowledge of the transaction strengthened suspicion surrounding the deal.

The court had earlier granted an interim forfeiture order on November 13, 2025, and directed the EFCC to publish the order for interested parties to show cause why the aircraft should not be permanently forfeited.

Following the publication, Valiente Jet Limited filed affidavits opposing the forfeiture.

According to an affidavit filed by EFCC investigator Aminu Abdullahi, the anti-graft agency received intelligence reports linking Kachallah to conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence and money laundering.

Investigations allegedly revealed that in 2021, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited awarded contracts under the Maiduguri Emergency Power Project valued at more than $114m and ₦23.1bn.

The EFCC alleged that Kachallah, who served as Chairman of the Borno State Rural Electrification Board and was a member of the project steering committee, used his position to engage in illicit dealings related to the contracts.

According to the commission, Kachallah allegedly entered unlawful agreements with China Machinery Engineering Company and sold privileged bidding information in exchange for financial inducements.

The anti-graft agency stated that CMEC later received contracts valued at over $52m and ₦20.2bn under the project.

The EFCC further alleged that part of the contract funds was routed through Afuwa Integrated Services Limited, a Bureau De Change company, under the false claim that it had been subcontracted by CMEC.

The commission said CMEC transferred $2.07m into the company’s account on Kachallah’s instruction.

Investigators also claimed forged invoices were prepared to falsely indicate that legitimate consultancy services had been rendered.

The funds were later allegedly transferred to Brazil for the purchase of the aircraft before ownership was eventually transferred to Valiente Jet Limited.

During proceedings, Kachallah’s counsel, M.E. Oru (SAN), argued that his client was separate from the companies involved in the transactions and challenged the admissibility of some documents attached to the EFCC affidavit.

However, EFCC counsel, Iheanacho Ekele (SAN), argued that the law allows courts to lift the corporate veil in cases involving fraud and illegality.

He cited judicial authorities, including Oyebanji vs State, in support of the commission’s position.

After considering arguments from both sides, Justice Nwite ruled that the evidence before the court justified final forfeiture of the aircraft.

The judge subsequently ordered that the jet be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.