PRESS STATEMENT

BAT-IG Celebrates Tinubu, Fagbemi Over Mambilla Arbitration Victory

Abuja, September 18, 2026

The Bola Ahmed Tinubu Ideological Group (BAT-IG) has congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, following Nigeria’s landmark victory in the Mambilla arbitration dispute before the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Paris.

The tribunal rejected claims by Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited arising from the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project, involving claims with a combined value of about $3.38 billion. It also ordered Sunrise and its promoter to reimburse Nigeria about $11.8 million in legal fees. 

For BAT-IG, the victory further confirms the Group’s ideological conviction that President Tinubu has never gotten it wrong when he personally identifies and appoints professionals whose capacity and competence he trusts.

The Group particularly commends Fagbemi for distinguishing himself in the legal profession and for his role in protecting Nigeria’s interests in major domestic and international disputes.

The Mambilla victory adds to a series of significant legal victories recorded under Fagbemi’s leadership. These include Nigeria’s successful defence of the $11 billion P&ID arbitration award in the United Kingdom, which was set aside by the English High Court; the Ajaokuta Steel Complex arbitration, which saved Nigeria about N4 billion and €185.7 million and the European Dynamics arbitration, which prevented a potential liability of about $6.2 million. 

Taken together with the Mambilla victory, these cases represent more than $14 billion in potential liabilities successfully challenged or avoided, in addition to hundreds of millions of euros and billions of naira involved in separate disputes. 

The Group also notes the significance of the ICC tribunal’s findings concerning the handling of the Mambilla settlement under the previous administration. The tribunal found that the settlement agreements were unenforceable against Nigeria because they lacked the required approval and were products of what it described as corruption and contrary to Nigerian public policy. 

BAT-IG recalls President Tinubu’s reaction to the ruling, in which he commended Fagbemi and the Federal Ministry of Justice team and reaffirmed that Nigeria would not succumb to predatory and exploitative claims against its commonwealth. 

The Group therefore appreciates President Tinubu for entrusting the nation’s legal interests to a seasoned professional and commends Prince Lateef Fagbemi for justifying that confidence through results.

Fagbemi’s philosophy is particularly instructive. In a recent interaction, he stated that he would not take on a case if he believed there was no viable way of achieving a result.

That is the mark of a professional who understands that public service is not merely about occupying an office or taking on every available brief. It is about competence, integrity, responsibility and, ultimately, getting results for Nigeria.

BAT-IG congratulates President Tinubu, the Attorney-General, the Federal Ministry of Justice and the entire Nigerian legal defence team on this important victory.

Nigeria’s commonwealth must always come first.

Signed:

Comrade Bamidele Atoyebi,

Convener,

BAT Ideological Group