RismadarVoice Reporters
September 18, 2026
Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited says it is reviewing the latest arbitration ruling concerning the long-delayed Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project, insisting that it will consider all lawful options available to it.
The company’s promoter, Leno Adesanya, disclosed this in a statement on Friday, a day after an arbitration tribunal constituted under the auspices of the International Chamber of Commerce in Paris ruled in favour of Nigeria in the long-running dispute.
The tribunal rejected claims brought by Sunrise in connection with agreements relating to the Mambilla project. The dispute involved claims with a combined potential value of more than $3.38bn.
Adesanya said Sunrise’s legal team was studying the tribunal’s award, including its findings, reasoning and implications for the parties, before determining the company’s next course of action.
“The battle is not over. Our lawyers are currently reviewing the arbitration decision and will advise us on the appropriate next steps,” he said.
He said the company respected the arbitration process and the tribunal’s decision but considered it necessary to examine the award in detail before making further comments.
“Until our legal team has completed its review, it would be premature to comment extensively on the decision or the issues arising from it,” Adesanya said.
The ICC tribunal dismissed Sunrise’s claim that Nigeria had breached its obligations under a settlement agreement and an accompanying addendum.
It also rejected the company’s request for an order compelling Nigeria to pay $400m, comprising a $200m settlement sum and a further $200m default payment.
The tribunal further held that Adesanya was bound by the arbitration agreement and that it had jurisdiction over Nigeria’s counterclaim against him and Sunrise.
The ruling also ordered Sunrise and Adesanya to reimburse Nigeria for 75 per cent of the legal fees and expenses incurred in defending the arbitration. Nigeria’s legal costs were reported at about $11.82m.
The Federal Government has described the ruling as a significant development in the long-running dispute and said it removes a major legal obstacle surrounding the Mambilla project.
Despite the tribunal’s decision, Adesanya said Sunrise remained committed to protecting its rights and interests in relation to the Mambilla project and the agreements underlying the dispute.
“Sunrise remains committed to protecting its rights and interests in relation to the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project. We will consider all lawful options available to us based on the advice of our lawyers,” he said.
He also expressed hope that the longstanding dispute could eventually be resolved in a manner that protects the interests of all parties and allows the project to contribute to Nigeria’s power sector.
The Mambilla project, located in Taraba State, has faced years of delays arising from legal disputes, financing challenges and changes to its proposed implementation structure.
The Federal Government initially conceived the project as a 3,050MW hydroelectric facility but subsequently revised its planned capacity to make the project more financially viable and attractive to lenders.
Adesanya said the company would issue further comments after its lawyers had completed their assessment of the arbitration award and advised on the appropriate legal course.
