Court Orders Final Seizure Of Private Jet Tied To NNPCL Fraud Investigation

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the permanent forfeiture of a Hawker private jet allegedly linked to fraud, corruption, and money laundering connected to the Maiduguri Emergency Power Project.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Justice Emeka Nwite issued the ruling on Monday following an application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The aircraft, a Hawker 800XP with serial number 258553 and registration number 5N-AMK, was ordered forfeited to the Federal Government.

In his judgment, Justice Nwite ruled that Valiente Jet Limited, a company associated with Abdulsalam Mustapha Kachallah, failed to provide convincing evidence proving the legitimate source of funds used to acquire the jet.

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

The court also observed that the method used to purchase the aircraft through a Bureau De Change operator, who allegedly denied involvement in the transaction, further raised suspicion about the deal.

Earlier, on November 13, 2025, the court had granted an interim forfeiture order and directed the EFCC to publish notices inviting interested parties to show cause why the aircraft should not be permanently seized.

Following the publication, Valiente Jet Limited filed objections against the forfeiture.

According to an affidavit submitted by EFCC investigator Aminu Abdullahi, the anti-graft agency received intelligence reports linking Kachallah to alleged conspiracy, obtaining money under false pretences, and money laundering.

The EFCC claimed investigations revealed that in 2021, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) awarded contracts worth over $114 million and ₦23.1 billion under the Maiduguri Emergency Power Project.

The commission alleged that Kachallah, who served as Chairman of the Borno State Rural Electrification Board and was also a member of the project steering committee, used his position to engage in illegal dealings related to the contracts.

According to the EFCC, Kachallah allegedly entered into unlawful arrangements with China Machinery Engineering Company (CMEC) and sold confidential bidding information in exchange for financial benefits.

The agency further alleged that CMEC eventually secured contracts valued at more than $52 million and ₦20.2 billion under the project.

The commission also claimed that part of the contract funds was routed through Afuwa Integrated Services Limited, a Bureau De Change company, under the false claim that it had been subcontracted by CMEC.

According to investigators, CMEC transferred $2.07 million into the company’s account based on Kachallah’s directive.

The EFCC further alleged that fake invoices were created to suggest legitimate consultancy services had been provided, while the funds were eventually transferred to Brazil for the purchase of the aircraft before ownership was moved to Valiente Jet Limited.

During the proceedings, counsel to Kachallah, M.E. Oru (SAN), argued that his client was distinct from the companies involved and challenged the admissibility of some documents tendered by the EFCC.

However, EFCC counsel, Iheanacho Ekele (SAN), argued that courts have the authority to lift the corporate veil in cases involving fraud and illegal conduct, citing legal precedents including Oyebanji vs State.

After reviewing submissions from both parties, Justice Nwite held that the evidence presented justified the final forfeiture of the aircraft and consequently ordered that the jet be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.