By Sandra Kenneth
The Federal Government of Nigeria has successfully defended itself against Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited at the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) arbitration tribunal in Paris, France.
The ICC panel issued an award dismissing all financial claims brought by Sunrise Power against the Nigerian Government and businessman Leno Adesanya. The ruling addresses a high-stakes dispute tied to the long-delayed Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project in Taraba State.
Sunrise Power had sought $680 million in settlement fees and interest at the ICC tribunal. The claim was part of a larger ongoing legal battle in which the firm is seeking over $2.7 billion in compensation regarding the contract to build the power facility.
Government Response
President Bola Tinubu welcomed the arbitral award on Thursday, calling the verdict a major breakthrough for national infrastructure development and a critical step toward realizing Nigeria’s energy goals.
“Today’s ICC ruling clears the single biggest legal hurdle that has paralysed the Mambilla hydro power project for years,” President Tinubu said in an official statement. He added that the decision demonstrates Nigeria’s resolve to challenge “predatory and exploitative claims by corrupt local and international entities and their enablers.”
President Tinubu commended Attorney-General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi, officials from the Ministry of Justice, and the legal defense team led by Elizabeth Oger-Gross and Tolu Obamuroh of Paul Hastings LLP for their representation. He also acknowledged the testimonies provided during proceedings by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the late President Muhammadu Buhari, and former ministers Babatunde Fashola and Suleiman Adamu.
Background of the Dispute
The legal conflict stems from a 2003 Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) contract awarded for the construction of a hydroelectric power plant in Taraba State. Over two decades, contractual disagreements and parallel legal actions halted physical progress on the site.
With the tribunal’s dismissal of the claims, government officials indicate that Nigeria remains open to legitimate private-sector partnerships while maintaining a firm legal defense against unauthorized financial claims.
