President Bola Tinubu has refuted claims that he compelled former President Muhammadu Buhari to testify in an ongoing $6bn arbitration case in Paris concerning the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project.
Speaking through his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu described the reports as “fake news” and maintained that all individuals involved in the proceedings are acting out of patriotism.
The dispute revolves around a long-standing contract awarded to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company of Nigeria in 2003 during former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration.
The project, which has faced delays and allegations of corruption, became the subject of arbitration after Sunrise accused the Nigerian government of breaching the agreement.
Earlier reports suggested that the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, visited Buhari at his Daura residence to persuade him to testify before the International Chamber of Commerce Court of Arbitration.
The reports alleged that President Tinubu reached the decision to ensure Nigeria’s defense in the case.
The presidency, however, dismissed the allegations: “…President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has not forced anyone to testify for or to refrain from testifying against Nigeria.
“All the eminent Nigerians involved in Nigeria’s defence are doing so willingly and out of sheer patriotism and conviction.
“President Tinubu and the entire country are grateful to them.”
The presidency noted that the arbitration proceedings are confidential and urged the public to disregard the reports . Sunrise Power had accused the Buhari administration of withholding $200m in payments and breaching the terms of the contract.
In response, the Nigerian government reportedly pursued legal action against Sunrise’s principal, Leno Adesanya, accusing him of bribery and economic sabotage.
Adesanya denied the allegations and argued that his company’s efforts were aimed at ensuring sustainable power for Nigeria.
