$2.3 Billion Mambilla Arbitration: Buhari, Obasanjo To Testify In Paris

Former President Muhammadu Buhari is set to testify on Monday in the $2.3 billion arbitration proceedings brought against Nigeria by Sunrise Power at the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Paris, France.

The dispute centers on an alleged breach of contract by the federal government regarding the Mambilla hydropower project.

Contrary to claims circulating on social media that Buhari had already testified, credible sources confirmed that the arbitration hearings will officially begin on Monday.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo is also in France to provide his testimony.

Nigeria’s former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Michael Aondoakaa, who had earlier filed a witness statement supporting Sunrise Power, reportedly left Paris abruptly, citing a summons from President Bola Tinubu.

However, a presidency source denied that Tinubu summoned Aondoakaa.

Speculations have emerged that the sudden departure may be part of a broader strategy by Sunrise Power to allege witness intimidation by the Nigerian government in a bid to secure sympathy from the ICC tribunal members.

A presidency official refuted allegations that Buhari was coerced by Tinubu into testifying, labelling such claims as propaganda.

The official added that Buhari had, in a letter to the current AGF, Lateef Fagbemi, in January 2024, denied authorizing Abubakar Malami, the former AGF, to enter into a $200 million settlement agreement with Sunrise Power.

Leaked Tribunal Filings Raise Eyebrows

Adding another twist, an article attributed to one “Dr. Anthony Ibrahim” from the purported “Truth and Justice Group, Camberwell Green, London, UK,” leaked confidential details of the arbitration filings.

The piece, which suggested that Nigeria was likely to lose the case, gained traction on social media.

However, an investigation by TheCable revealed no online presence for either “Dr. Anthony Ibrahim” or the alleged group, raising suspicions that the article was part of a calculated propaganda effort by parties with vested interests in the case.

Mambilla Project: Background Of The Dispute

The arbitration case stems from the federal government’s alleged breach of a 2003 contract signed with Sunrise Power for the development of the Mambilla hydropower project.

The project, touted as one of Nigeria’s most ambitious infrastructure ventures, has been mired in legal and administrative challenges for over a decade.

As the hearings commence, the proceedings are expected to shed light on the contract’s contentious details and the actions of successive administrations.