$680m Mambilla fraud: Nigeria defeats Sunrise Power at ICC arbitration
Nigerian Government Secures Legal Win Against Sunrise Power in Mambilla Hydroelectric Project Dispute
The Nigerian government has achieved a legal victory against Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited in a dispute related to the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project, situated in Taraba State. The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) arbitration tribunal in Paris issued its decision on Thursday, rejecting claims made by Sunrise Power against the Nigerian government and individual Leno Adesanya.
Sunrise Power had sought $680 million in settlement and interest in connection with earlier arbitration proceedings, where the company is pursuing over $2.7 billion in compensation related to the development of the 3,960-megawatt Mambilla project.
In response to the ruling, President Bola Tinubu characterized the outcome as a significant victory for Nigeria, praising the legal team’s efforts to uphold the government’s position. “Today’s ICC ruling clears the single biggest legal hurdle that has paralyzed the Mambilla hydro power project for years,” he stated.
The president emphasized Nigeria’s commitment to resisting what he described as “predatory and exploitative claims” from both domestic and international entities. He acknowledged the contributions of Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi, along with the Federal Ministry of Justice, for their roles in the case.
Tinubu also commended the Nigerian defense team, led by Elizabeth Oger-Gross and Tolu Obamuroh of Paul Hastings LLP, for their professional handling of the matter. He recognized previous leaders, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the late President Muhammadu Buhari, who provided testimonies, as well as former ministers Babatunde Fashola and Suleiman Adamu, and other witnesses and experts involved in the case.
The dispute stems from a contract signed in 2003 for the construction of a 3,050-megawatt hydroelectric plant under a build-operate-transfer arrangement. President Tinubu reaffirmed the nation’s intention to collaborate with legitimate investors while vigorously defending against claims perceived as opportunistic.
