Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has rejected allegations of corruption arising from the findings of an International Chamber of Commerce arbitration tribunal concerning his handling of the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project.
In a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Mohammed Bello Doka, Malami said the findings contained in the 616-page award should be considered alongside the complete documentary and evidentiary record.
DAILY POST had earlier reported that the ICC tribunal found that Malami acted against Nigeria’s interests while handling a settlement agreement with Sunrise Power and that he and the company’s promoter, Leno Adesanya, reached a corrupt deal.
Malami, however, rejected any suggestion that he acted pursuant to a corrupt agreement or received personal financial benefit from Sunrise Power.
He said the Mambilla dispute predated his tenure as Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, having originated in 2003 and involved successive administrations and government officials.
According to him, his involvement followed a 2016 presidential directive to resolve outstanding disputes relating to the project.
Malami said the Ministry of Justice was subsequently tasked with advising the Federal Government on its legal exposure and possible resolution of the dispute.
He said Sunrise initially proposed a $500 million settlement during discussions in London in November 2019.
According to him, representatives of the Federal Government responded with an offer of $100 million, while a $200 million settlement was later considered.
Malami said former President Muhammadu Buhari did not approve the proposed $200 million settlement.
He added that Buhari’s position was communicated to Sunrise in April 2020, while a subsequent request in January 2021 was also rejected with the words, “Not approved.”
Malami said he subsequently instructed the government’s lawyers to resist Sunrise’s attempt to enforce the settlement terms against Nigeria.
On the allegation that he was promised a share of money from Sunrise, Malami described the claim as false.
He also said Adesanya had claimed to possess audio and video recordings relevant to the allegations, but none of the recordings was produced before the tribunal.
Malami stressed that the arbitration was a commercial proceeding and not a criminal trial, saying the award should not be presented as a criminal conviction.
He welcomed the tribunal’s rejection of Sunrise Power’s claims against Nigeria, saying the outcome protected the country from substantial financial exposure.
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