EFCC Seizes Private Jet Linked to Maiduguri Power Project Fraud

Court orders final forfeiture of Hawker 800XP aircraft worth over $2 million
A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the permanent forfeiture of a Hawker private jet to the Federal Government of Nigeria following a probe into alleged fraud, corruption and money laundering connected to the Maiduguri Emergency Power Project (MEPP).

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, made the ruling on Monday, May 18, 2026, granting an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for the final forfeiture of the aircraft — a Hawker 125, model 800XP, with serial number 258553 and registration number 5N-AMK.
At the centre of the case is Alhaji Abdulsalam Mustapha Kachallah, former Chairman of the Borno State Rural Electrification Board and a member of the MEPP steering committee, whose company, Valiente Jet Limited, had claimed ownership of the aircraft.

Justice Nwite held that Kachallah’s company failed to demonstrate the lawful origin of funds used to acquire the jet. The judge noted that the aircraft was purchased through a Bureau De Change operator who denied knowledge of the transaction — a “disguised manner” the court said lent credence to the unlawfulness of the entire deal.

The Alleged Scheme

According to EFCC investigator Aminu Abdullahi, whose affidavit supported the forfeiture application, the commission received intelligence in 2021 pointing to conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence, and money laundering involving Kachallah.

The NNPC Limited had awarded contracts under the MEPP valued at $114,148,155 and ₦23,172,969,904. Kachallah, who sat on the project’s steering committee, allegedly exploited his position and connections with NNPCL officials to enter into unlawful agreements with the China Machinery Engineering Company (CMEC) — selling privileged bidding information in exchange for financial inducements.

CMEC was subsequently awarded three contracts under the project worth $52,120,172 and ₦20,213,956,953. A portion of those contract funds was then routed through Afuwa Integrated Services Limited, a Bureau De Change operator, under the false claim that the company had been subcontracted by CMEC.
Investigators say CMEC transferred $2,070,000 into Afuwa’s Stanbic IBTC Bank account on Kachallah’s instruction. Forged invoices were then prepared in the company’s name to falsely portray that legitimate services had been rendered. The funds were subsequently wired to a Brazilian account to purchase the aircraft from a Brazilian company. Kachallah allegedly then forged documents to transfer the jet’s ownership to Valiente Jet Limited, a company linked to him.

Court Rejects Defence

Kachallah, represented by M.E. Oru (SAN), argued that he was distinct from the companies that entered the agreements, and challenged the admissibility of some exhibits attached to the EFCC’s affidavit.
The EFCC’s lead counsel, Iheanacho Ekele (SAN), countered that in cases of fraud or illegality, the law permits the lifting of the corporate veil to identify the persons behind companies — citing the authority of Oyebanji vs State. He further argued that the documents in question did not require additional certification, relying on Aondoakaa vs Obot & Anor and Musa vs Jika.

The court had initially granted an interim forfeiture order on November 13, 2025, directing the EFCC to publish the order in a national newspaper to allow interested parties to show cause. Following the publication, Valiente Jet Limited filed affidavits in opposition. Arguments from both sides were heard on April 30, 2026.
Justice Nwite, satisfied with the evidence before the court, ruled in the EFCC’s favour and ordered the aircraft permanently forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.