BREAKING: Multi-billion Dollar Contract Controversy: OBJ, Buhari Testify in Paris Court

Paris, France – Former President Muhammadu Buhari will take the stand on Monday, January 20, 2025, in the $2.3 billion arbitration proceedings filed against Nigeria by Sunrise Power.

As reported by The Cable, the case was filed at the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Paris, France, over an alleged breach of contract by the federal government of Nigeria.

Reports had claimed Buhari had already testified on the disputed Mambilla hydropower project, but the online newspaper reported that arbitration hearings will only commence on Monday, January 20.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo (fondly called OBJ) is also in France to give his testimony, Daily Trust corroborated.

Mambilla controversy: Ex-AGF suddenly flies to Nigeria

Meanwhile, Michael Aondoaaka, the former attorney-general of the federation (AGF) who had earlier filed a witness statement in support of Sunrise, has suddenly left Paris reportedly claiming that he was summoned back to Nigeria by President Bola Tinubu.

Legit.ng gathered that this may be part of the overall strategy of the Sunrise team to allege witness intimidation by the Nigerian government and secure the sympathy of the tribunal members.

A presidency official revealed on Sunday, January 19, that Aondoakaa was not summoned by Tinubu.

A social media post had previously alleged that Tinubu forced Buhari to testify — another tactic believed to be aimed at strengthening a witness intimidation argument at the tribunal. However, Buhari previously wrote to Lateef Fagbemi, the incumbent AGF, in January 2024 denying granting Abubakar Malami, the former AGF, the authority to enter into a $200 million settlement agreement with Sunrise.

Mambilla arbitration: FG makes clarification

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the presidency denied news on social media that President Tinubu forced his predecessor Buhari to take the witness stand in a Paris court in France over a $6 billion Mambilla power contract fraud.

Onanuga added that the proceeding “was entirely confidential until the international arbitrators decide”.