Nigeria has won a major arbitration case at the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Paris, with the tribunal rejecting a $680 million claim brought against the Federal Government by Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited over the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project in Taraba State.
The ICC tribunal issued its award on Thursday, September 17, 2026, ruling in favour of Nigeria in the arbitration instituted by Sunrise.
The company had demanded $680 million as a settlement sum and interest in connection with another arbitration in which it is seeking more than $2.7 billion in compensation and interest over disputes linked to the development of the 3,960-megawatt Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu commended the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, and the Federal Ministry of Justice team for their efforts in defending Nigeria’s interest.
Tinubu said, “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.”
The President also commended Nigeria’s defence team, led by Elizabeth Oger-Gross and Tolu Obamuroh of Paul Hastings LLP, describing their contribution as a professional and excellent defence of the country.
He said, “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.”
Tinubu further acknowledged the roles played by former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the late President Muhammadu Buhari, who testified in the case.
He said the dispute dated back to “an illegal 2003 contract to build a 3,050-megawatt hydroelectric plant in Taraba State under a build-operate-transfer model,” adding that “the Federal Executive Council never authorised the contract.”
The President also commended former Ministers Babatunde Raji Fashola and Suleiman Adamu, as well as other witnesses and experts who participated in the case.
He said, “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.”
Tinubu also thanked the National Security Adviser for his support and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for its investigation into the case.
He said the government would continue to work with genuine investors while defending the country’s interests.
“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,” he said.
The President described the ruling as a major breakthrough for the long-delayed project, saying, “Today’s ICC ruling clears the single biggest legal hurdle that has paralysed the Mambilla hydro power project for years.”
The Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project, located in Taraba State, is designed to generate 3,960 megawatts of electricity and has been the subject of prolonged legal and contractual disputes.