*President Bola Ahmed Tinubu commends the efforts of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, and the entire team at the Federal Ministry of Justice for their efforts at winning the court case between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited at an International Arbitration Tribunal, in Paris, France
Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect
An International Arbitration Tribunal under the auspices of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Thursday, September 17, 2026, in Paris, France, issued an award in favour of Nigeria.
The ICC rejected the claims in the arbitration instituted by Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited (Sunrise) over the 3960 MW Mambila Hydroelectric Power Project, in Taraba State, North-East Nigeria.
Earlier, the company had made a claim against the West African country, demanding $680 million as a settlement sum and interest in respect of another arbitration in which it is claiming over $2.7 billion in compensation and interest.
The claims were related to disputes associated with the development of the 3960 MW Mambila Hydroelectric Power Project.
ConsumerConnect reports the ICC’s latest decision, however, has affirmed the Nigeria’s determination to not succumb to what the Federal Government described as “predatory and exploitative claims by corrupt local and international entities and their enablers and funders.”
Speaking on the Court judgement, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, in a statement Thursday said: “On behalf of the Government and People of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I strongly commend the tremendous efforts of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi and the entire team at the Federal Ministry of Justice for their efforts in this matter.
Tinubu stated: “I also commend the FRN defence team, led by Ms. Elizabeth Oger-Gross and Mr. Tolu Obamuroh, both of Paul Hastings LLP, for their professional and excellent defence of the country.
“I commend the patriotism and support of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR, and late President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, who testified in the case, which dated back to an illegal 2003 contract to build a 3,050-megawatt hydroelectric plant in Taraba State under a build-operate-transfer model.”
The Nigerian leader also asserted: “The Federal Executive Council never authorised the contract.
“I thank the other witnesses in this case, including former Ministers Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, and Suleiman Adamu, and the experts, for their active participation in defending Nigeria’s interest in the arbitration.”
He equally said: “I commend the National Security Adviser for his support and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for its investigation into the case.
“I want to assure you that while our country remains committed to partnering with genuine investors and honouring its legal obligations, it will continue to defend all opportunistic claims instituted against our commonwealth strongly.”
President Tinubu added: “Today’s (Thursday’s) ICC ruling clears the single biggest legal hurdle that has paralysed the Mambilla hydro power project for years.”