Buhari, Obasanjo to Testify in Paris Court Over $2.3 Billion Mambilla Arbitration Case

Former President Muhammadu Buhari is scheduled to testify on Monday in a $2.3 billion arbitration case filed against Nigeria by Sunrise Power and Transmission Company at the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Paris. The case involves allegations that the Nigerian government breached a contract for the Mambilla power project.

The dispute stems from a power generation and distribution contract awarded to Sunrise Power in 2003. Reports initially suggested that Buhari was pressured to testify, but the Presidency denied this, stating he is doing so voluntarily out of patriotism. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo is also in Paris to provide testimony.

Sunrise Power initiated the arbitration in 2017, seeking $2.354 billion in damages for an alleged breach of contract related to the 3,050MW Mambilla power plant in Taraba State. A second arbitration case filed by the company demands $400 million for the Nigerian government’s failure to uphold a 2020 settlement agreement.

Meanwhile, former Attorney-General of the Federation, Michael Aondoakaa, who had previously filed a witness statement supporting Sunrise, reportedly left Paris abruptly. Sources suggest this may be part of a strategy by Sunrise to claim witness intimidation by the Nigerian government. However, the Presidency denied that President Bola Tinubu had summoned Aondoakaa back to Nigeria.

Separately, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has accused Sunrise Power promoter, Leno Adesanya, of attempting to bribe government officials with money and women to secure favorable recommendations for the Mambilla project. The allegations were disclosed in court papers filed in Abuja. The EFCC is also prosecuting former Minister of Power and Steel, Olu Agunloye, for awarding the $6 billion contract in 2003 without proper approvals or budgetary provisions.

Agunloye is currently facing a seven-count charge, including forgery and corruption. His application to travel abroad for medical treatment was denied by the court, which ruled that he failed to prove his condition could not be treated in Nigeria. In October 2024, the EFCC amended the charges against him, presenting additional evidence.

Obasanjo has publicly stated that he is willing to testify on behalf of Nigeria and has challenged Agunloye to explain his authority to award the contract unilaterally.