Court forfeits jet linked to NNPCL fraud case

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the final forfeiture of a Hawker 125 private jet to the Federal Government over its alleged link to fraud, corruption and money laundering tied to the Maiduguri Emergency Power Project.

Justice Emeka Nwite delivered the ruling on Monday, granting an application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The aircraft, a Hawker 125 model 800XP with serial number 258553 and registration number 5N-AMK, was found to have been acquired through unlawful means.

In a statement, EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale said the court held that Valiente Jet Limited, a firm linked to Abdulsalam Kachallah, failed to provide credible evidence showing the legitimate source of funds used to purchase the jet.

The judge noted that the transaction was carried out in a suspicious manner, including the use of a Bureau De Change operator who allegedly denied any knowledge of the deal, reinforcing the conclusion that the acquisition was незакон.

The court had earlier issued an interim forfeiture order on November 13, 2025, directing the EFCC to publish the notice for any interested parties to contest the move. Following the publication, Valiente Limited filed affidavits opposing the forfeiture.

According to an affidavit by EFCC investigator Aminu Abdullahi, the commission received intelligence linking Kachallah to alleged conspiracy, obtaining money under false pretences and money laundering.

Investigations revealed that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) awarded contracts worth $114.1m and over ₦23.1bn for the Maiduguri Emergency Power Project in 2021.

The EFCC alleged that Kachallah, who served as Chairman of the Borno State Rural Electrification Board and was a member of the project’s steering committee, used his position to engage in illicit dealings. He was accused of entering unlawful agreements with China Machinery Engineering Company (CMEC) and providing insider bidding information in exchange for financial benefits.

The commission said CMEC subsequently secured contracts valued at $52.1m and over ₦20.2bn under the project.

Part of the funds, investigators said, was channelled through Afuwa Integrated Services Limited, a Bureau De Change operator, under the guise of subcontracting. The EFCC alleged that $2.07m was transferred into the company’s Stanbic IBTC Bank account on Kachallah’s instruction, supported by forged invoices to give the appearance of legitimate transactions.

The funds were later traced to a Brazilian account used to purchase the aircraft. The commission further alleged that ownership of the jet was initially linked to Afuwa Integrated Services Limited before being transferred to Valiente Jet Limited using forged documents.

Kachallah, however, denied wrongdoing, maintaining through his counsel, M.E. Oru (SAN), that the payments were tied to a valid consultancy agreement with CMEC. He also argued that he was separate from the companies involved and challenged the admissibility of some EFCC documents.

Responding, EFCC counsel Iheanacho Ekele (SAN) argued that the court could lift the corporate veil in cases involving fraud to identify individuals behind corporate entities.

In his judgment, Justice Nwite ruled that the EFCC had provided sufficient evidence to support its claims and consequently ordered the permanent forfeiture of the aircraft to the Federal Government.