By Seun Ibiyemi
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday, May 18, 2026, secured a final forfeiture order for a Hawker private jet (125/800XP, serial number 258553, registration number 5N-AMK) over its alleged link to fraud, corruption, and money laundering tied to the Maiduguri Emergency Power Project (MEPP).
Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja granted the order following an application by the EFCC, ruling that the claimant, Valiente Jet Limited—owned by Abdulsalam Mustapha Kachallah—failed to provide sufficient evidence to justify why the aircraft should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.
The court held that the applicant did not demonstrate the lawful origin of funds used to acquire the aircraft, noting that the transaction was allegedly concealed through the use of a Bureau De Change operator who denied knowledge of the arrangement.
Justice Nwite said this further supported the prosecution’s claim of illegality surrounding the acquisition.
The aircraft had earlier been placed under interim forfeiture on November 13, 2025, with the court ordering its publication in a national newspaper to allow interested parties to respond. Following the notice, Valiente Limited filed affidavits to contest the forfeiture but failed to convince the court.
EFCC investigator Aminu Abdullahi, in an affidavit supporting the final forfeiture, told the court that intelligence linked the aircraft to conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence, and money laundering connected to the MEPP.
Investigations showed that in 2021, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) awarded contracts under the Maiduguri Emergency Power Project valued at $114.1 million and ₦23.17 billion.
Kachallah, then Chairman of the Borno State Rural Electrification Board and a member of the project steering committee, was alleged to have exploited his position to influence contract processes.
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The EFCC further alleged that he entered into illicit arrangements with China Machinery Engineering Company (CMEC), exchanging privileged bidding information for financial benefits. CMEC was subsequently awarded contracts worth about $52.1 million and ₦20.21 billion under the project.
Part of the contract proceeds was allegedly routed through Afuwa Integrated Services Limited, a Bureau De Change operator, under the false claim of subcontracting arrangements.
The EFCC stated that $2.07 million was transferred into the company’s Stanbic IBTC Bank account on Kachallah’s instruction.
Investigators also alleged that forged invoices were created to disguise the funds as legitimate payments for services rendered to CMEC.
The money was then transferred to a Brazilian account, where it was used to purchase the private jet now forfeited to the Federal Government.
The court’s ruling marks a significant development in the ongoing EFCC investigation into alleged large-scale corruption linked to the emergency power project.
