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$6bn Mambilla project: FG, Sunrise Power await Paris court verdict

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Former presidents Muhammadu Buhari and Olusegun Obasanjo have defended Nigeria in the $2.3 billion arbitration proceedings filed against the country by Sunrise Power over an alleged breach of contract by the federal government at the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Paris.

The parties in the case now await the court’s verdict.

The arbitration court in France had a week-long hearing, between 18th and 23rd January, in Paris on the ongoing dispute between Sunrise Company/Leno Adesanya and the government of Nigeria on the existence or absence of a contract for the construction of the Mambilla Power Project.

The Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station is a proposed 3,050 MW hydroelectric power project.

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Sunrise Power, which claimed to have been awarded a $6 billion contract to build, operate and transfer the power plant by the Obasanjo administration in May 2003, is in arbitration with Nigeria at the International Chamber of Commerce in Paris.

The company has alleged a breach of contract by the federal government and is seeking monetary compensation of $2.3 billion to cover what it had spent on financial and legal consultants.

Obasanjo, Buhari testify at tribunal

Credible sources spoke with our reporters on the appearance of two former presidents at the court last week.

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One of the sources said both Obasanjo and Buhari maintained their stand that no contract was signed in the first instance. Hence, there was no basis for the claim of compensation by Sunrise over the $6bn Mambilla power contract deal.

Obasanjo, who testified before the ICC last Wednesday, had in an interview he granted TheCable in 2023, queried his former Minister of Power, Olu Agunloye, how he got the prerogative to award the contract to Sunrise in 2003.

Buhari, who also testified last Thursday, had earlier written to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, denying authorising the settlement agreement of 2020.

The source said: “It is very important for the nation’s case that the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, was successful in bringing two former presidents – Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Muhammadu Buhari – to testify at the hearing.

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“By this action, the government of Nigeria sent a signal of its strong commitment to defending the nation’s interest.”

The source said both leaders – Obasanjo and Buhari – are known for speaking forthrightly and unequivocally, and this, they exhibited in Paris.

The source further explained that to the delight of the international team of lawyers representing Nigeria, the two past presidents did extremely well, exposing the Sunrise/Leno’s claim for what it is: an attempt using fraud, deceit and lies to scoop USD660,000 settlement from Nigeria in the first instance, for the alleged violation of a 2003 contract for which there is no valid approval.

According to the source, “It is evident from the proceedings that the case of the litigants was rooted in a purported 2003 agreement. The 2003 contract was established not to have been validly in existence. This is worsened by the fact that the litigants failed to produce their major witnesses.”

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Key witnesses missing as Leno makes appearance

Another trusted source confirmed to the Daily Trust that Barrister Michael Andoakaa, the Yar’adua-era Minister of Justice and Attorney General made a brief appearance in Paris. He did not show up at the hearing.

Similarly, the much-touted appearance of a one-time Minister of Power, Agunloye, did not also materialise. He was the one who allegedly signed a side letter communicating the approval of the contract 24 hours after its rejection by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) which meeting was presided over by Obasanjo.

A third “key witness”, a Senegalese woman, did not also appear at the hearing.

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The source, who closely monitored the proceedings also said, “Another major setback suffered by the litigants was their over-reliance on an earlier witness statement deposed to by Abubakar Malami, Minister of Justice and Attorney General under President Buhari.

“Malami, on whose testimony the litigants made heavy weather was not fielded as a witness, but ended up lining behind his former boss, President Buhari, to support and prepare him well for his (Buhari’s) testimony.

“It was by and large a great showing, consolidated by the equally outstanding testimonies of former ministers, Engineer Sulaiman Adamu, formerly Water Resources and Babatunde Raji Fashola, Power.”

However, Leno Adesanya was before the panel on Tuesday. He, like all the others, was led by a counsel.

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Whereabouts of Dr Olu Agunloye

The Daily Trust findings revealed that Olu Agunloye is presently in his house because he had been granted administrative bail by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

He is being tried at the Federal High Court, FCT, sitting in Apo, Abuja and therefore not in Paris, France.

When our reporter spoke to the EFCC Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, on whether Agunloye would testify at Paris, France, he said they didn’t know because they were not concerned about the matter, and as such it wouldn’t affect the ongoing case in Nigeria.

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Just in: FG begins recruitment into Federal Civil Service

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The Federal Government has begun hiring for various positions within the Federal Civil Service.

The Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) announced on January 26, 2025, that Nigerians interested in these roles can apply through the commission’s official website.

Applicants are required to submit their applications for only one position.

Those applying should upload several documents, including their CV, academic certificates, NYSC certificate, birth certificate, and passport photo.

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People with disabilities should also mention the nature of their condition in their applications.

The application portal is open until March 10, 2025, for interested candidates.

The statement read:

“The Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) is receiving applications for various vacancies in the Federal Civil Service.

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“The vacancy announcement is published on the Commission’s website: www.fedcivilservice.gov.ng and in the Sun, Daily Trust and The Nation newspaper of Monday 27th January 2025.

“Eligible applicants are to apply for only one position via the application link: https://recruitment.fedcivilservice.gov.ng.

“Applicants who are physically challenged should state the nature of their disability.

“Applicants are to upload the following documents as applicable:

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i. Curriculum Vitae

ii. Ph.D/Master’s Degree Certificate

iii. Degree/HND/NCE Certificate

iv. WAEC/NECO/NABTEB Certificate

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v. Primary School Certificate

vi. NYSC discharge/exemption/exclusion certificate

vii. Birth Certificate/Declaration of Age

viii. Local Government Identification

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ix. Recent Passport photograph

“All applications are to be submitted on or before Monday, 10th March, 2025.

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Just in: Ex-President Buhari opens up on his health status

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Ex-President Muhammadu Buhari has opened up about his health since leaving office on May 29, 2023.

Buhari confirmed that his health is better now since he left office in 2023.

While in office as President, Buhari was plagued by illness which led to him being flown abroad for medical attention.

He handed over to Bola Tinubu after serving his two terms as President.

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Speaking at an All Progressives Congress, APC, stakeholders’ meeting at the Katsina State Government House, Buhari suggested that the complexities of being the President of Nigeria affected his health.

“Those outside the corridors of power do not understand the complexities and difficulties facing Nigeria.

“My health has improved since leaving office. People who visited me told me I look better than before.”

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Igbo-Eze North/Udenu Fed Constituency Communities rejoice as Rep Agbo attracts 21 class rooms, ICT Halls+Photos

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Community and educational leaders in Amalla, Udenu local government area and other communities in Igbo-Eze North council area have made accolades on their House of Representatives member, Rt. Hon Dennis Nnamdi AGBO, for attracting and completing the construction and reconstructions of various classroom blocks in their secondary schools.

Commissioning the facilities by the Governor of Enugu state who was represented by the state Commission for Education, Prof. Ndubueze Mbah, different community leaders and school Principals paid tributes to both Governor Peter Mbah and Rep Agbo for their giant strides in the provision of educational infrastructure such as the state government’s ongoing constriction of 260 Smart Schools across the state, and Rep Agbo’s continued provision of educational facilities in Igbo-Eze North/ Udenu Federal constituency.

The facilities included a seven-classroom block with two offices at Umuegali Amalla in Udenu LGA, six-classroom block at Community Secondary School Imufu; four-classroom block at Comprehensive Secondary School Ekposhi, an Examination Hall and ICT building at Community High School Uda.

Expressing appreciations to Rep Agbo for attracting the projects, community leaders such as Prince Emeka Eze of Amalla in Udenu LGA; Chief Abel Idoko of Ekposhi Enugu-Ezike, HRH Igwe Remigus Attah of Imufu and Ichie Peter Ugwuja of Udah in Igbo-Eze North LGA, described Agbo as a good representative with integrity and track record of excellence.

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They also made accolades on Governor Peter Mbah who Chief Idoko said his governance has been characterized by “business unusual and disruptive innovations in all sectors.” Ichie Ugwuja recalled that Rep Dennis AGBO had earlier remodeled college buildings, the old dormitory and laboratory blocks in Udah Community High School, in addition to other community development projects.

Rep Agbo in his different speeches gave commendation to Governor Peter Mbah, stating that the governor is a worthy partner whose hard work propels him to seek budgetary provisions for his constituency and the state – “the Governor is working, so we work”.

Agbo said, “We’re taking after the Governor. Education is the enabling factor for the future because if you educate a child, you empower him. All we are doing is to contribute our own quota to elevate that initiative, bringing resources from the center, from the federal government, which is where we operate, to support what the Governor is doing.

“Education is the key in human capital development. Imagine a remodeled secondary School in Udah, and a Smart School next door, the confidence it will engineer in children in the next five years is unimaginable. I thank my constituents who are wonderful people. They support me and I’m working hard for them.”

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The Governor’s representative and the state Commissioner for Education, Prof Ndubueze Mbah said that there is a democratic synergy between the state government’s effective governance and effective representation by the House of Representative member.

“The people who are enjoying these democratic endeavors are the people that Honourable represents and the citizens of Enugu state in general, who are led by our Governor. It has been a richly rewarding experience and I’ll provide the governor a full brief on my excursion here,” Prof Mbah said.

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