By Dennis Okechukwu
Nigeria has secured a major legal victory at an International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) arbitration tribunal in Paris, with the tribunal rejecting a $680 million claim brought by Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited over the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project in Taraba State.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced the decision in a statement on Thursday, September 17, 2026, describing the ruling as a significant victory for the country.
Sunrise had sought $680 million as a settlement sum and interest in connection with another arbitration in which it is claiming more than $2.7 billion in compensation and interest over disputes surrounding the development of the 3,960-megawatt Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project.
According to the President, the latest ruling removes what he described as the “single biggest legal hurdle” that had stalled the Mambilla project for years.
Tinubu commended Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, and officials of the Federal Ministry of Justice for their role in defending Nigeria’s position.
He also praised Nigeria’s defence team, led by Elizabeth Oger-Gross and Tolu Obamuroh of Paul Hastings LLP, for what he described as their professional handling of the case.
The President further acknowledged former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the late President Muhammadu Buhari, who testified in the proceedings.
The dispute, according to the statement, dates back to a 2003 contract for the construction of a 3,050-megawatt hydroelectric power plant in Taraba State under a build-operate-transfer arrangement.
Tinubu said the Federal Executive Council had never authorised the contract.
Former Ministers Babatunde Raji Fashola and Suleiman Adamu, as well as other witnesses and experts, were also commended for their contributions to Nigeria’s defence.
The President thanked the National Security Adviser for his support and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for its investigation into the matter.
He said the Federal Government remained committed to working with genuine investors and honouring Nigeria’s legal obligations, while vowing to vigorously defend claims it considers detrimental to the country’s interests.
The Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project, planned for Taraba State, has for years been affected by legal and contractual disputes.
The government hopes that the latest ICC ruling will help clear the way for progress on the long-delayed project.