ABUJA, Nigeria — An International Chamber of Commerce tribunal in Paris has rejected a $680 million claim brought by Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Ltd. against Nigeria.
President Bola Tinubu announced the decision on Thursday, September 17, 2026, describing it as a significant legal victory for the country and the long-delayed Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project in Taraba State.
Sunrise sought the money as a settlement payment and interest connected to a separate arbitration in which it is claiming more than $2.7 billion in compensation and interest.
The claims arose from disputes surrounding the proposed 3,960-megawatt Mambilla project. The tribunal ruled in Nigeria’s favour, rejecting the company’s demand.
Tinubu said the decision demonstrated Nigeria’s willingness to defend public resources against what he described as “predatory and exploitative claims.”
Dispute Traced to 2003 Agreement
The dispute dates to an agreement from 2003 under which Sunrise claimed it had been engaged to build a 3,050-megawatt hydroelectric plant in Taraba State through a build-operate-transfer arrangement.
Tinubu said the Federal Executive Council had never authorised the contract.
The capacity stated in the disputed 2003 agreement differs from the 3,960-megawatt design subsequently associated with the broader Mambilla project.
Tinubu acknowledged the testimony and assistance provided by former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the late President Muhammadu Buhari during the arbitration.
He also recognised the contributions of former ministers Babatunde Fashola and Suleiman Adamu, as well as other witnesses and technical experts who participated in the proceedings.
Tinubu Commends Nigeria’s Legal Team
The President praised Lateef Fagbemi, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, and officials of the Federal Ministry of Justice for their work on the case.
He also commended Nigeria’s external defence team, led by Elizabeth Oger-Gross and Tolu Obamuroh of Paul Hastings LLP, for its representation before the tribunal.
Tinubu acknowledged assistance from the Office of the National Security Adviser and an investigation conducted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The President said Nigeria would continue to welcome legitimate investors and honour its contractual obligations.
He added, however, that the government would resist claims it regarded as opportunistic or detrimental to the country’s commonwealth.
“The ICC ruling clears the single biggest legal hurdle that has paralysed the Mambilla hydro power project for years,” Tinubu said.
The ruling removes the $680 million claim, but Sunrise’s separate arbitration seeking more than $2.7 billion in compensation and interest remains distinct from the case decided by the tribunal.
