$2.3bn Mambilla Arbitration: Ex-President Buhari set to testify today in Paris

Buhari to testify

As ex-AGF ‘withdraws’ support for Sunrise

Former President Muhammadu Buhari is set to testify today, Monday, in the $2.3 billion arbitration case between Nigeria and Sunrise Power over the Mambilla hydro-power project. 

Mambilla

The hearings, taking place at the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Paris, follow allegations of contract breaches by the Nigerian government.

Social media posts — since denied by the Presidency — had claimed that Buhari already testified on the disputed Mambilla hydropower project, however it was gathered that arbitration hearings will only commence today, Monday.

Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo is also in Paris to testify. 

Meanwhile, the former Attorney-General of the federation (AGF), Michael Aondoakaa, initially a witness for Sunrise, has reportedly left Paris, claiming he was summoned back to Nigeria by President Bola Tinubu—a claim the Presidency has denied.

Buhari to testify3

The Nigerian government has faced accusations of witness intimidation, with Sunrise allegedly using this to sway the tribunal. Buhari has denied approving a controversial 2020 settlement agreement with Sunrise and criticized the company’s claims.

Obasanjo, in earlier statements, disavowed any authorization for the original 2003 contract, insisting that his administration never approved the $6 billion project awarded by then Minister of Power Olu Agunloye, who is currently facing trial.

The arbitration, initiated by Sunrise in 2017, seeks $2.354 billion in damages for the breach of the 2003 agreement and an additional $400 million for Nigeria’s failure to honor a 2020 settlement.

This high-stakes legal battle continues to draw attention, with allegations of leaked confidential filings and claims of propaganda complicating proceedings.

Related posts

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.