Nigeria Wins Legal Battle Against Sunrise Power Claim

On September 22, 2026, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, announced that the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Arbitral Tribunal in Paris had entirely rejected a $400 million claim from Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited and its principal, Mr. Leno Adesanya. The claim was related to the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project, where Sunrise sought $400 million, including a $200 million settlement and another $200 million as a default sum.

The tribunal ruled that the Settlement Agreement was not binding on the Federal Government of Nigeria, as the former ministers who signed it lacked the authority to do so without presidential approval. Additionally, the tribunal found the agreement tainted by corruption, with evidence of bribery involving senior Nigerian officials.

Consequently, Sunrise and Adesanya were ordered to pay 75% of Nigeria's legal fees, with the tribunal expressing hope that this ruling would deter further frivolous claims against Nigeria.