…Tribunal clears path for 3,960MW hydro project, President commends Obasanjo, Buhari, Fagbemi
By Danjuma Amodu
An International Arbitration Tribunal under the auspices of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Paris, on Wednesday, September 17, 2026, issued an award in favour of Nigeria, rejecting the claims in the arbitration instituted by Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Ltd.
The company had made a claim against the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 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 relating to disputes associated with the development of the 3,960MW Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project, located in Taraba State.
This latest decision affirms the Nigerian State’s determination not to succumb to predatory and exploitative claims by corrupt local and international entities and their enablers and funders.
Reacting to the ruling, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu commended 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.
“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,” the President said in a State House statement.
He also commended the Federal Government 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.
President Tinubu commended the patriotism and support of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the late President Muhammadu Buhari, 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 Federal Executive Council never authorised the contract.
He thanked other witnesses in the 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.
The President also commended 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 said.
“Today’s ICC ruling clears the single biggest legal hurdle that has paralysed the Mambilla hydro power project for years.
“God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he added.
