By By Elizabeth Ugbo
The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) tribunal in Paris on Thursday, September 17, 2026, rejected Sunrise Power’s claims against Nigeria over the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project in Taraba State, while examining a $500,000 payment made to Jennifer Douglas, the then-wife of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, in 2003.
The ruling has renewed political debate over Atiku’s role in the long-running Mambilla controversy. However, the tribunal did not find evidence that Atiku personally directed the payment or used his office to secure the contract.
ICC Tribunal Examines $500,000 Payment
According to the tribunal award, Sunrise promoter Leno Adesanya acknowledged transferring $500,000 to Douglas on January 30, 2003.
The payment went through China Castle Investments Limited, an offshore company controlled by Adesanya. The money reached Douglas’s Citibank account in the United States.
Adesanya told the tribunal that the payment formed part of a foreign-exchange transaction conducted for Atiku.
However, the tribunal found that explanation unsupported by documentary evidence. It noted the absence of records showing the underlying naira payment, exchange rate or transaction instructions.
Neither Atiku nor Douglas provided testimony or a witness statement supporting the foreign-exchange explanation.
Payment Came During Mambilla Procurement Process
The timing of the payment became a major issue during the arbitration.
Sunrise presented its tender for the Mambilla project in January 2003. The $500,000 transfer followed on January 30.
The technical committee later recommended Sunrise for the project on March 12, 2003.
The tribunal also noted Atiku’s involvement in government discussions concerning the Mambilla project during the period.
It said Atiku held considerable power and influence within the Federal Government at the time.
However, the tribunal made an important distinction regarding Atiku.
It said the arbitration record contained no evidence that he actually exercised his official duties to facilitate Sunrise’s contract award.
Tribunal Raises Questions Over Payment
The tribunal said the circumstances surrounding the $500,000 transfer raised significant concerns.
It could not accept Adesanya’s explanation that the payment represented a bona fide foreign-exchange transaction.
At the same time, the tribunal said it could not establish from the evidence that Atiku used his official position to secure the Mambilla contract.
Therefore, the ruling does not amount to a finding that Atiku accepted a bribe.
Instead, the tribunal examined the payment as part of Nigeria’s allegations concerning the disputed contract.
ICC Rejects Sunrise’s Claims Against Nigeria
The arbitration centred on Sunrise’s long-running dispute with the Federal Government over the Mambilla project.
Sunrise initially commenced arbitration against Nigeria in 2017. The company sought about $2.35 billion over an alleged breach of the 2003 agreement.
The parties later negotiated a settlement involving $200 million.
A further dispute emerged after Sunrise sought additional payments under the settlement arrangement.
The latest ICC tribunal rejected the claims and ordered Sunrise and Adesanya to reimburse Nigeria for 75 percent of its legal costs.
Nigeria’s recoverable costs stood at about $11.82 million. The tribunal directed that part of the amount should come from funds held in escrow.
Nigerian Government Welcomes Ruling
President Bola Tinubu welcomed the ICC decision on behalf of the Federal Government.
The Presidency described the ruling as an important development in Nigeria’s defence of the Mambilla project dispute.
It also commended former President Olusegun Obasanjo and late President Muhammadu Buhari for providing evidence during the proceedings.
The government said the ruling removed a major legal obstacle surrounding the long-delayed hydropower project.
Political Implications for Atiku
The ICC ruling has already triggered political reactions ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election.
The APC campaign has called on Atiku to withdraw from the presidential race over the revelations surrounding the Mambilla dispute.
The allegation that the $500,000 payment amounted to a bribe remains disputed.
Sunrise and Adesanya maintained that the money represented a foreign-exchange transaction.
Atiku has also consistently denied wrongdoing in connection with the broader allegations surrounding the matter.
Consequently, the tribunal’s findings should be distinguished from political claims about Atiku’s suitability for public office.
The ruling establishes that the payment occurred and that the tribunal rejected Adesanya’s documentary explanation.
It does not, however, establish that Atiku personally received a bribe or manipulated the Mambilla contract.
Mambilla Project Remains a Major National Issue
The Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project has remained stalled for decades amid contractual and legal disputes.
The proposed project is located in Taraba State and has long been viewed as a major potential source of electricity generation.
The latest ICC ruling has now rejected Sunrise’s claims against Nigeria.
Attention will therefore turn to the Federal Government’s next steps regarding the project and its future development.
