President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has dismissed allegations that he pressured former President Muhammadu Buhari to testify in a $6 billion arbitration case in Paris over the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu described the claims as “fake news” and affirmed that all individuals involved in the proceedings were acting out of patriotism.
The case concerns a long-standing contract awarded in 2003 to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company of Nigeria under former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration.
The project, plagued by delays and corruption allegations, became subject to arbitration after Sunrise accused the Nigerian government of breaching the agreement.
Reports earlier suggested that 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.
It was alleged that Tinubu approved the move to bolster Nigeria’s defense in the case.
The presidency refuted these claims. “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has not forced anyone to testify for or against Nigeria,” the statement read.
“All the eminent Nigerians involved in Nigeria’s defense are doing so willingly and out of sheer patriotism and conviction. President Tinubu and the entire country are grateful to them.”
Citing the confidentiality of the proceedings, the presidency urged the public to disregard the allegations.
The dispute traces back to accusations by Sunrise Power against the Buhari administration for withholding $200 million in payments and breaching the contract terms.
In response, the Nigerian government initiated legal action against Sunrise’s principal, Leno Adesanya, accusing him of bribery and economic sabotage.
Adesanya denied the allegations, claiming his company’s actions were aimed at ensuring sustainable power for Nigeria.
The Mambilla project, envisioned to provide significant power infrastructure for the country, remains stalled amid the legal battle.