Tinubu: Ruling against Sunrise Power has cleared legal hurdle against Mambilla power project

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has welcomed the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) ruling on the $2.35 billion claim brought against Nigeria by Sunrise Power over the Mambilla hydropower project.

The tribunal dismissed Sunrise Power’s claims against Nigeria and also ordered the company and its promoter, Leno Adesanya, to reimburse the Nigerian government 75 per cent of the legal fees and expenses it incurred in the arbitration.

In its final decision, signed by the three-member tribunal, the panel rejected Sunrise’s request for a declaration that Nigeria had breached its contractual obligations under the settlement agreement and the addendum.

The tribunal also dismissed Sunrise’s claim seeking an order compelling Nigeria to pay the company $400 million.

The amount comprised a $200 million settlement sum and a further $200 million default sum.

The panel further declared that Adesanya, the promoter of Sunrise, is bound by the arbitration agreement with Nigeria under the settlement agreement and the addendum.

It also ruled that it has jurisdiction over Nigeria’s counterclaim against Adesanya and his firm.

Reacting in a statement he personally signed, the President said the ruling has cleared “the single biggest legal hurdle that has paralysed the Mambilla hydro power project for years.”

“An International Arbitration Tribunal under the auspices of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Paris, today, September 17, 2026, issued an award in favour of our country, rejecting the claims in the arbitration instituted by Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Ltd (Sunrise).

“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 3960mw Mambila 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.

“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.

“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 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. 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. Today’s ICC ruling clears the single biggest legal hurdle that has paralysed the Mambilla hydro power project for years.”