The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured a final forfeiture order for a Hawker private jet linked to alleged fraud, corruption and money laundering connected to the Maiduguri Emergency Power Project.
Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, granted the order on Monday following an application filed by the anti-graft agency.
The aircraft, identified as a Hawker 800XP with serial number 258553 and registration number 5N-AMK, was ordered forfeited to the Federal Government after the court ruled that no sufficient justification had been provided to stop the forfeiture.
In his ruling, Justice Nwite held that Valiente Jet Limited, owned by Abdulsalam Mustapha Kachallah, failed to demonstrate the lawful source of funds used in acquiring the aircraft.
The judge also noted that the manner in which the aircraft was purchased through the name of a Bureau De Change operator who allegedly denied knowledge of the transaction further strengthened suspicions surrounding the acquisition.
The court had earlier granted an interim forfeiture order on November 13, 2025, and directed the EFCC to publish the notice in a national newspaper to allow interested parties to contest the action.
Following the publication, Valiente Limited filed affidavits challenging the forfeiture, but the court eventually ruled in favour of the EFCC.
According to an affidavit filed by EFCC investigator Aminu Abdullahi, the commission received intelligence reports involving conspiracy, obtaining money under false pretences and money laundering allegedly linked to Kachallah.
Investigators said findings revealed that in 2021, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) awarded contracts under the Maiduguri Emergency Power Project valued at over $114 million and more than ₦23 billion.
The EFCC alleged that Kachallah, who was then Chairman of the Borno State Rural Electrification Board and a member of the project steering committee, exploited his position and connections with NNPCL officials to engage in illicit transactions related to the project.
According to the commission, Kachallah entered into unlawful agreements with China Machinery Engineering Company (CMEC) through companies in which he allegedly had significant interests.
Investigators claimed he supplied confidential bidding information in exchange for financial benefits, leading to the award of three contracts to CMEC worth more than $52 million and over ₦20 billion.
The EFCC further alleged that part of the contract funds was channelled through Afuwa Integrated Services Limited under the guise of subcontracting arrangements.
According to the commission, CMEC transferred $2.07 million into the Stanbic IBTC Bank account of Afuwa Integrated Services Limited based on instructions allegedly linked to Kachallah.
The investigation also revealed that forged invoices were allegedly created in the name of the Bureau De Change company to falsely indicate that legitimate services had been rendered to CMEC.
The EFCC said the funds were subsequently transferred to a Brazilian account and used to purchase the aircraft from a Brazilian company.
