The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured a final forfeiture order for a Hawker 800XP private jet allegedly linked to fraud, corruption and money laundering tied to the Maiduguri Emergency Power Project (MEPP).
The order was granted on Monday, May 18, 2026, by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, following an application filed by the anti-graft agency.
The aircraft, identified as a Hawker Jet 125 with model number 800XP, serial number 258553 and registration number 5N-AMK, was ordered forfeited to the Federal Government after the court ruled that sufficient evidence had not been presented to justify retaining ownership.
Delivering judgment, Justice Nwite held that Valiente Jet Limited, a company linked to businessman Abdulsalam Mustapha Kachallah, failed to demonstrate the lawful origin of funds used to acquire the aircraft.
According to the judge, the circumstances surrounding the acquisition of the jet, including its alleged purchase through a Bureau De Change operator who reportedly denied knowledge of the transaction details, raised serious concerns over the legitimacy of the deal.
The court had earlier granted an interim forfeiture order on November 13, 2025, directing the EFCC to publish the decision and invite interested parties to challenge the move. Following the publication, Kachallah, through his company, filed affidavits opposing the permanent forfeiture.
According to an affidavit by EFCC investigator Aminu Abdullahi, the Commission received intelligence reports alleging conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence and money laundering involving Kachallah.
Investigators claimed that in 2021, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited awarded contracts under the Maiduguri Emergency Power Project worth over $114 million and more than ₦23 billion.
The EFCC alleged that Kachallah, who reportedly served as Chairman of the Borno State Rural Electrification Board and was also a member of the project steering committee, exploited his position to engage in illicit dealings linked to the project.
Investigations further alleged that he entered into unlawful arrangements with China Machinery Engineering Company through companies in which he had interests and supplied privileged bidding information in exchange for financial benefits.
According to the EFCC, funds linked to the contracts were later routed through a Bureau De Change operator before being transferred abroad for the purchase of the aircraft.
Kachallah opposed the claims, arguing that payments received were based on consultancy agreements and lawful business arrangements involving his companies.
However, the court ruled in favour of the EFCC, holding that the evidence presented justified the final forfeiture of the aircraft to the Federal Government of Nigeria.