News

Buhari, Obasanjo to Testify in $2.3B Arbitration Case as Aondoakaa Withdraws, Claims of Witness Intimidation Surface

Published by admin on January 19th, 2025.

Buhari, Obasanjo to Testify in $2.3B Arbitration Case as Aondoakaa Withdraws, Claims of Witness Intimidation Surface

Former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari is set to testify on Monday in the ongoing $2.3 billion arbitration case against Nigeria filed by Sunrise Power at the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Paris. The case revolves around an alleged breach of contract concerning the Mambilla hydropower project.

Contrary to earlier social media claims, which the Nigerian presidency has denied, Buhari has not yet testified, and the arbitration hearings are scheduled to begin this Monday. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo is also in Paris to provide his testimony in the case.

In a surprising twist, Michael Aondoakaa, the former Attorney General of the Federation who had previously filed a witness statement in support of Sunrise Power, has reportedly withdrawn from the case. He is said to have left Paris after being summoned back to Nigeria by President Bola Tinubu. This move could be seen as part of Sunrise Power’s broader strategy to accuse the Nigerian government of witness intimidation in an attempt to garner the tribunal’s sympathy.

However, a source within the presidency has dismissed these claims, stating that Aondoakaa was not summoned by President Tinubu. In response to reports suggesting that President Tinubu pressured Buhari to testify, there are indications that Sunrise Power’s team may use this narrative to bolster their claims of intimidation.

In addition, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had sought to arrest Adesanya, a key figure associated with Sunrise Power, on charges of bribery and economic sabotage. Adesanya, however, denied the allegations and proceeded with the arbitration process. The Federal High Court in Abuja had earlier ruled against the EFCC’s actions, and an Appeal Court has since stayed the execution of the ruling.

Meanwhile, Buhari denied authorizing the 2020 settlement agreement with Sunrise Power, which is central to the ongoing dispute. He explained that although his ministers engaged with Sunrise Power on various issues, he personally refused to approve the settlement, believing there was no basis for the claims made by the company.

Aondoakaa, who had initially agreed to testify against Nigeria, later dismissed such reports as “fake news,” clarifying that he had only defended himself against allegations made in the country’s defense documents. However, questions remain about how he obtained details of Nigeria’s confidential arbitration filings, as such documents are not meant to be shared with outside parties.

If Aondoakaa ultimately does not testify, Sunrise Power may argue that he was intimidated by the Nigerian government, especially given his previous witness statement in support of the company.

In a statement, President Tinubu emphasized that those defending Nigeria in the case are doing so out of patriotism and conviction, stressing that no one was coerced into testifying. He expressed his gratitude for the efforts of those involved in the defense.