Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed his motivation for testifying in the ongoing arbitration over the controversial $6 billion Mambilla Power Project contract.
Speaking from Paris, Obasanjo emphasized that his decision was self-driven and aimed at addressing allegations he described as “atrocious.”
The arbitration, held under the International Chamber of Commerce in Paris, is between the Nigerian Government and Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited, which claims it was awarded the contract to build, operate, and transfer the Mambilla power plant in 2003.
The company alleges a breach of contract and is demanding $2.3 billion in compensation for financial and legal expenses incurred.
In an exclusive interview with PREMIUM TIMES, Obasanjo clarified that his testimony was not influenced by President Bola Tinubu or any official directive.
“I volunteered myself to testify in this case. Nobody sent me to do so. President Tinubu did not ask me to do so as speculated. I didn’t speak to anybody on my intention to testify,” he stated.
He attributed his decision to counterclaims made by Olu Agunloye, who served as Minister of Power during the alleged awarding of the controversial contract.
“I decided to testify because of the statement made on the matter by Olu Agunloye. I considered his claims atrocious and thought it necessary to set the records straight,” Obasanjo said.
The dispute dates back to Obasanjo’s administration (1999–2007), during which Sunrise Power claimed it was awarded the Mambilla Power Project contract.
However, the Nigerian Government has argued that the contract was fraudulently awarded and has accused public officials of corruption in the process.
Obasanjo has consistently denied approving the contract, shifting blame to Agunloye, who succeeded Olusegun Agagu as Minister of Power.
In November 2002, Agagu had sought Obasanjo’s permission to initiate negotiations with Tafag Nigeria Limited and Sunrise Power. While Obasanjo granted approval to explore negotiations under strict parameters, he maintained that no contract was awarded during his tenure.
Despite this, Agunloye reportedly issued a letter of comfort to Sunrise Power in April 2003, which Obasanjo contends exceeded his directive.
The former president stated that any financial commitment above N25 million required presidential approval, a process he insists was never completed.
“What is abundantly clear is that at no time did Dr Agunloye comply with the directive to present a comprehensive memo to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for approval,” Obasanjo said in a letter addressed to the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi.
“Nor can my directive be stretched to include any approval to award a contract.”
Agunloye, however, has consistently refuted Obasanjo’s allegations, describing them as “baseless, false, and malicious.”
He argued that Obasanjo and four former ministers of power had already valued the project at $6 billion before his tenure, asserting that his actions were in line with established precedents.
Obasanjo, in turn, dismissed these claims, accusing Agunloye of mismanaging the project and causing significant embarrassment to the nation.
“The acts of fraud, deceit, and malfeasance by Dr Agunloye and others of his ilk do no good to Nigeria or Nigerians,” he said, vowing to testify in any forum to protect Nigeria’s national interest.
The ongoing arbitration highlights the long-standing challenges in Nigeria’s management of large-scale infrastructure projects, particularly in the power sector.
PLATFORM TIMES reports that should Sunrise Power’s claims succeed, Nigeria risks paying significant damages, further straining its economic resources.
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