Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has said the proposed $200 million settlement with Sunrise Power over the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project was negotiated in the interest of Nigeria.
Malami made the statement while addressing issues surrounding the long-running dispute between the Federal Government and Sunrise Power, a matter that has attracted attention because of the significant financial implications for the country.
The dispute is connected to the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project in Taraba State and allegations surrounding the cancellation of a contract previously associated with Sunrise Power.
According to Malami, the proposed settlement was the outcome of negotiations aimed at protecting Nigeria from potentially greater financial exposure arising from the dispute.
He maintained that the negotiations were conducted with the country’s interests in mind and were intended to provide a resolution to the disagreement rather than expose Nigeria to prolonged litigation and potentially higher liabilities.
The Mambilla project has been planned as one of Nigeria’s major hydropower developments, with the proposed facility expected to significantly increase the country’s electricity generation capacity if completed.
The project has, however, faced years of delays, contractual disputes and legal challenges.
The disagreement involving Sunrise Power has also featured in international arbitration proceedings, with the company pursuing claims connected to the project and the circumstances surrounding the cancellation of its earlier contract.
The proposed $200 million settlement has consequently become a subject of public interest, particularly amid questions over the financial obligations that could arise from resolving the dispute.
Malami’s latest comments provide his account of the rationale behind the proposed settlement during his tenure as Attorney-General and Minister of Justice.
The former AGF’s position is that settling the matter was part of an effort to safeguard Nigeria’s interests and avoid the potentially greater financial and legal consequences associated with a prolonged dispute.
The controversy surrounding the Mambilla project and the Sunrise Power dispute remains part of the broader debate over public procurement, major infrastructure contracts and the management of Nigeria’s international legal obligations.
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