Court Orders Final Forfeiture of Luxury Aircraft Linked to Alleged Money Laundering Scheme
Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, has ordered the permanent forfeiture of a luxury aircraft, a Hawker 125 (800XP), to the Federal Government following an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The aircraft, with serial number 258553 and registration number 5N-AMK, was ordered forfeited after the court found that the company linked to its acquisition failed to prove the lawful origin of the funds used to purchase it.
Court rejects ownership claims
In his ruling, Justice Nwite held that Valiente Jet Limited, a company allegedly connected to Abdulsalam Mustapha Kachallah, did not provide credible evidence to justify the source of funds used for the purchase.
The judge noted that the method used in acquiring the aircraft raised serious concerns, particularly its routing through a Bureau De Change operator who later denied involvement in the transaction.
“The interested party has not demonstrated with evidence the lawful origin of the funds used to purchase the aircraft,” the court held.
He added that the “disguised manner” of the transaction further strengthened the EFCC’s argument that the deal was unlawful.
From interim to final forfeiture
The court had earlier granted an interim forfeiture order on November 13, 2025, and directed the EFCC to publish the order for any interested party to challenge it.
Following the publication, Valiente Limited filed counter-affidavits opposing the forfeiture, but the court ultimately dismissed its claims.
EFCC details alleged financial trail
EFCC investigator Aminu Abdullahi told the court that the case stemmed from intelligence reports linking Kachallah to alleged conspiracy, money laundering, and obtaining funds by false pretence.
According to the EFCC, investigations revealed that contracts worth over $114 million and N23 billion were awarded under the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Maiduguri Emergency Power Project in 2021.
The commission alleged that Kachallah, who was then involved in the Borno State Rural Electrification Board and part of the project steering committee, used his position to influence contract processes and benefit financially.
It further alleged that funds linked to the contracts were routed through Afuwa Integrated Services Limited, a Bureau De Change operator, under the guise of subcontracting arrangements.
The EFCC said about $2.07 million was transferred into the company’s account and later moved abroad for the purchase of the aircraft from a Brazilian firm.
It also alleged that ownership documents were later forged to transfer the aircraft to Valiente Jet Limited.
Defence and prosecution arguments
Kachallah’s legal team, led by M.E. Oru (SAN), argued that the transactions were legitimate consultancy payments under an agreement with a foreign contractor and insisted that the companies involved were separate legal entities.
However, EFCC counsel, Iheanacho Ekele (SAN), urged the court to pierce the corporate veil, arguing that individuals behind the companies should be held accountable where fraud is suspected.
Final ruling
In his final judgment, Justice Nwite held that the EFCC had successfully established its case and granted the final forfeiture of the aircraft to the Federal Government.
