The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has secured a final forfeiture order for a Hawker private jet allegedly linked to fraud, corruption and money laundering in the Maiduguri Emergency Power Project.
Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on Monday ordered the forfeiture of the aircraft a Hawker 125, model 800XP, serial number 258553, registration number 5N-AMK to the Federal Government following an application by the EFCC.
A statement by EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale said the judge held that Valiente Jet Limited, a company linked to Abdulsalam Kachallah, failed to provide sufficient evidence showing the lawful origin of funds used to acquire the aircraft.
According to the court, the manner in which the aircraft was purchased through a Bureau De Change operator who allegedly denied knowledge of the transaction further supported the claim that the acquisition was unlawful.
“The interested party has not demonstrated with evidence the lawful origin of the funds used to purchase the aircraft. The disguised manner through which the aircraft was acquired using the name of a Bureau De Change operator who denied knowledge of the nature of the transaction further lent credence to the unlawfulness of the entire transaction,” the judge was quoted as saying.
The court had earlier granted an interim forfeiture order on November 13, 2025, directing the anti-graft agency to publish the order in a national newspaper for interested parties to show cause why the aircraft should not be permanently forfeited.
Following the publication, Valiente Limited, owned by Kachallah, filed affidavits opposing the forfeiture.
In an affidavit supporting the application, EFCC investigator Aminu Abdullahi said the commission received intelligence on alleged conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence and money laundering involving Kachallah.
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 $114.1m and over ₦23.1bn.
The commission alleged that Kachallah, who was Chairman of the Borno State Rural Electrification Board and a member of the project’s steering committee at the time, used his position to engage in illicit dealings connected to the project.
The EFCC further alleged that Kachallah entered into unlawful agreements with China Machinery Engineering Company through firms in which he had interests and provided privileged bidding information in exchange for financial inducements.
Investigators said CMEC later secured three contracts under the project valued at $52.1m and over ₦20.2bn.
Part of the contract funds, according to the EFCC, was routed through Afuwa Integrated Services Limited, a Bureau De Change operator, under the claim that it had been subcontracted by CMEC.
The commission alleged that CMEC transferred $2.07m into the Stanbic IBTC Bank account of Afuwa Integrated Services Limited on Kachallah’s instruction, after which forged invoices were allegedly prepared to portray legitimate services.
The EFCC said the funds were later transferred to a Brazilian account for the purchase of the aircraft from a Brazilian company.
The anti-graft agency also alleged that Kachallah used Afuwa Integrated Services Limited to acquire the aircraft before allegedly forging documents to transfer ownership to Valiente Jet Limited.
Kachallah, however, opposed the application, arguing through his counsel, M.E. Oru (SAN), that payments made through Afuwa Integrated Services Limited were based on a consultancy agreement with CMEC relating to the project.
The defence also argued that Kachallah was distinct from the companies involved and challenged the admissibility of some documents tendered by the EFCC.
Counsel to the EFCC, Iheanacho Ekele (SAN), countered that in cases involving fraud and illegality, the court could lift the corporate veil to identify individuals behind companies.
In his judgment, Justice Nwite held that the EFCC had presented sufficient evidence and consequently granted the final forfeiture of the aircraft to the Federal Government.
The post “Hawker Jet Forfeited To FG” — Court Orders Final Seizure Of Aircraft Linked To Alleged Fraud In Maiduguri Power Project appeared first on TheNigeriaLawyer.
