ICC Tribunal Rules for Nigeria in Mambilla Power Project Dispute

An International Chamber of Commerce tribunal in Paris has ruled in favor of Nigeria, rejecting a $400 million claim from Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Ltd over the long-delayed Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project. The tribunal's final award, issued on September 17, 2026, dismissed the company's request for payment and ordered Sunrise and its promoter, Leno Adesanya, to reimburse Nigeria for 75% of its legal fees, totaling $11.82 million. The dispute centered on a 2020 settlement agreement and a subsequent addendum, under which Sunrise claimed Nigeria owed it $200 million as a settlement sum and an additional $200 million as a default penalty. The tribunal found these agreements were not binding on Nigeria because they lacked the required presidential approval. Furthermore, the panel concluded that a corrupt deal had been reached between Adesanya and former Attorney General Abubakar Malami, rendering the agreements unenforceable and contrary to Nigerian public policy. Testimony from former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Muhammadu Buhari was central to the case. Both denied authorizing the underlying contracts.