Nigeria has secured a major legal victory in its long-running dispute with Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited over the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project in Taraba State.
An International Arbitration Tribunal under the auspices of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Paris on Thursday, September 17, 2026, issued an award in favour of Nigeria, rejecting claims brought by Sunrise Power in connection with the project.
Sunrise had sought $680 million as a settlement sum and interest in a related arbitration, while separately pursuing more than $2.7 billion in compensation and interest over disputes surrounding the development of the 3,960-megawatt Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project.
Details of the tribunal’s decision reported by Nigerian media also indicate that it rejected Sunrise’s claim that Nigeria breached its obligations under a settlement agreement and its addendum, as well as a demand for $400 million comprising a $200 million settlement sum and a $200 million default sum.
The tribunal further ruled that Leno Adesanya, the promoter of Sunrise Power, was bound by the arbitration agreement with Nigeria and that it had jurisdiction over Nigeria’s counterclaim against him and his firm.
It also ordered Sunrise Power and Adesanya to reimburse Nigeria 75 per cent of its legal fees and expenses, amounting to approximately $11.82 million. The tribunal fixed the total arbitration costs at $1.66 million, with Sunrise and Adesanya responsible for 75 per cent.
Reacting to the award, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu commended the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, and officials of the Federal Ministry of Justice for their role in the case.
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 defence of the country.
Tinubu also acknowledged the contributions of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the late President Muhammadu Buhari, who testified in the proceedings.
According to the President, the dispute dates back to a 2003 contract for the construction of a 3,050-megawatt hydroelectric plant in Taraba State under a build-operate-transfer arrangement. He maintained that the Federal Executive Council had never authorised the contract.
The President also commended former Ministers of Power Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) and Suleiman Adamu, as well as other witnesses and experts who participated in the arbitration.
He further acknowledged the support of the National Security Adviser and the role of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in investigating the matter.
Tinubu said the ruling demonstrated the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting the country’s interests while remaining open to genuine investors and respecting its legal obligations.
He said Nigeria would continue to defend its interests against claims that the government considers opportunistic.
The President described the ICC ruling as a major development for the Mambilla project, saying it had removed the biggest legal obstacle that had hindered the project for years.
The Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project, planned for Taraba State, has been the subject of prolonged contractual and arbitration disputes, with the latest ICC ruling resolving key claims arising from the dispute between Nigeria and Sunrise Power
