Court Orders Forfeiture of Jet Linked to NNPCL Power Project Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has secured a final forfeiture order for a private jet allegedly linked to fraud, corruption and money laundering connected to the Maiduguri Emergency Power Project.

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on Monday ordered the forfeiture of the Hawker 125 private jet, model 800XP, serial number 258553, with registration number 5N-AMK, to the Federal Government.

According to a statement issued by EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale, the court ruled that Valiente Jet Limited failed to provide convincing evidence showing the lawful source of funds used to acquire the aircraft.

The company is reportedly linked to Abdulsalam Kachallah.

Justice Nwite held that the aircraft was purchased through a Bureau De Change operator who allegedly denied knowledge of the transaction, strengthening the EFCC’s claims that the acquisition process was unlawful.

“The interested party has not demonstrated with evidence the lawful origin of the funds used to purchase the aircraft,” the judge stated.

The court had earlier granted an interim forfeiture order on November 13, 2025, directing the EFCC to publish the order in a national newspaper for interested parties to contest the application.

Following the publication, Valiente Jet Limited opposed the forfeiture through affidavits filed before the court.

According to the EFCC, investigations revealed that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited awarded contracts under the Maiduguri Emergency Power Project in 2021 valued at over $114 million and ₦23.1 billion.

The commission alleged that Kachallah, who served as Chairman of the Borno State Rural Electrification Board and a member of the project’s steering committee, used his position to secure unlawful deals involving China Machinery Engineering Company.

Investigators claimed CMEC later won contracts worth over $52 million and ₦20.2 billion, while part of the project funds was allegedly routed through Afuwa Integrated Services Limited, a Bureau De Change operator.

The EFCC further alleged that about $2.07 million was transferred into Afuwa’s account before the funds were allegedly moved to Brazil for the purchase of the aircraft.

In his ruling, Justice Nwite held that the EFCC had provided sufficient evidence and consequently ordered the permanent forfeiture of the aircraft to the Federal Government.