The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, on Monday, May 18, 2026, secured a final forfeiture order for a Hawker 800XP private jet marked 5N-AMK before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, over alleged links to fraud, corruption, and money laundering tied to the Maiduguri Emergency Power Project (MEPP).
The aircraft, bearing serial number 258553, was forfeited to the Federal Government following an application by the EFCC, which argued that it was acquired through proceeds of unlawful activities connected to contracts awarded under the project by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.
In his ruling, Justice Nwite held that the interested party, Valiente Jet Limited—owned by Abdulsalam Mustapha Kachallah—failed to provide sufficient evidence establishing the lawful origin of funds used to acquire the aircraft.
The judge noted that the transaction structure, which allegedly involved a Bureau De Change operator denying knowledge of the deal, reinforced the prosecution’s position that the acquisition was tainted by illegality.
He further observed that the applicant failed to dislodge the interim forfeiture order earlier granted on November 13, 2025, which had directed public notice to allow interested parties to show cause why the asset should not be permanently forfeited.
Following the publication, Valiente Jet Limited filed processes contesting the forfeiture, while EFCC investigator Aminu Abdullahi deposed to an affidavit detailing allegations of conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence, and money laundering.
According to the EFCC, investigations showed that contracts under the MEPP, valued at over $114 million and ₦23.17 billion, were awarded in 2021, and that Kachallah, then a senior official in Borno State’s rural electrification structure, allegedly exploited his position to influence contract processes.
The anti-graft agency further alleged that he entered into clandestine arrangements with China Machinery Engineering Company (CMEC), securing multi-billion-naira contracts and receiving illicit financial benefits disguised as consultancy and subcontracting payments.
Investigators told the court that $2,070,000 was transferred into an account linked to Afuwa Integrated Services Limited, a Bureau De Change operator, before being routed through foreign channels for the purchase of the aircraft from a Brazilian firm.
The EFCC maintained that forged invoices were used to legitimize the transactions and that the aircraft was later transferred to Valiente Jet Limited, a company allegedly linked to Kachallah.
Although the defendant opposed the forfeiture, arguing that the transactions were legitimate consultancy arrangements, EFCC counsel Iheanacho Ekele (SAN) and O.S. Ujam countered that the evidence established violations of anti-corruption and money laundering laws, including provisions of the ICPC Act and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act.
They further argued that corporate structures could not shield individuals from liability in cases involving fraud, urging the court to pierce the corporate veil.
Delivering judgment after hearing arguments on April 30, 2026, Justice Nwite held that the prosecution had successfully established a credible link between the aircraft and proceeds of unlawful activity, and ordered its final forfeiture to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
