By Nkechi Eze
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured a final forfeiture order for a Hawker 800XP private jet allegedly linked to fraud, corruption and money laundering connected to the Maiduguri Emergency Power Project (MEPP).
According to an official signed statement by the EFCC Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the aircraft, bearing serial number 258553 and registration number 5N-AMK, was ordered forfeited to the Federal Government by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja.
The ruling followed an application by the EFCC, in which the court held that Valiente Jet Limited, a company owned by Abdulsalam Mustapha Kachallah, failed to provide sufficient evidence to justify ownership of the aircraft or the lawful origin of funds used for its acquisition.
Justice Nwite held that the transaction was disguised through a Bureau De Change operator who denied knowledge of the arrangement, describing the circumstances as further evidence of illegality surrounding the acquisition.
The court had earlier granted an interim forfeiture order on 13 November 2025 and directed publication for interested parties to show cause why the asset should not be permanently forfeited. Following the publication, Valiente Jet Limited filed affidavits opposing the order, but the court dismissed the objection.
An EFCC investigator, Aminu Abdullahi, deposed that intelligence indicated conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence and money laundering involving the defendant in connection with the MEPP.
Investigations revealed that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) awarded contracts worth $114,148,155 and ₦23,172,969,904 under the Maiduguri Emergency Power Project in 2021.
The EFCC alleged that Kachallah, then Chairman of the Borno State Rural Electrification Board and a member of the project steering committee, exploited his position to obtain and sell privileged bidding information, allegedly benefiting from contracts awarded to China Machinery Engineering Company (CMEC).
According to the Commission, CMEC subsequently secured contracts valued at $52,120,172 and ₦20,213,956,953, with part of the funds allegedly routed through Afuwa Integrated Services Limited under the guise of subcontracting arrangements.
The EFCC further alleged that $2,070,000 was transferred into the account of Afuwa Integrated Services Limited and later channelled through a Brazilian account for the purchase of the aircraft, which was subsequently registered under Valiente Jet Limited, a company linked to Kachallah.
The prosecution, led by Senior Advocates of Nigeria Iheanacho Ekele and O.S. Ujam, argued that the transactions violated provisions of the ICPC Act and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, stressing that evidence demonstrated abuse of public office and concealment of illicit proceeds.
Defence counsel, M.E. Oru, SAN, argued that the companies involved were separate legal entities and challenged the admissibility of some EFCC exhibits. However, the court upheld the prosecution’s position, agreeing that the corporate veil could be lifted in cases involving fraud and illegality.
Delivering judgment, Justice Nwite ruled in favour of the EFCC, ordering the final forfeiture of the aircraft to the Federal Government after being satisfied that it was acquired through proceeds of unlawful activity.
