Court orders final forfeiture of private jet linked to N23.1bn power fraud
Federal High Court has permanently forfeited a private jet to the Federal Government after it was allegedly linked to fraud in the Maiduguri Emergency Power Project valued at $114.1 million and N23.1 billion. Justice Emeka Nwite condemned the transaction as a disguised arrangement involving fraudulent activities surrounding the power project.
EFCC investigations revealed that Abdulsalam Mustapha Kachallah allegedly leaked bidding information to China Machinery Engineering Company (CMEC) in exchange for financial kickbacks. CMEC subsequently transferred approximately $2.07 million through Afuwa Integrated Services, a Bureau De Change operator, using forged invoices to facilitate the aircraft purchase for Valiente Jet Limited.
The ruling represents a significant legal action against corruption in Nigeria's power sector, with the court determining the aircraft was acquired through illicit means. The Federal Government now takes possession of the asset as proceeds of crime from the alleged fraud that targeted emergency power infrastructure in Maiduguri.