Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has explained why he appeared as a witness in the $6 billion Mambilla Power Project arbitration case in France.
The case is at the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Paris and is between the Nigerian government and Sunrise Power over alleged breach of contract.
Sunrise Power is claiming that the Nigerian government breached the Build, Operate and Transfer agreement for the Mambilla power plant which was allegedly awarded during Obasanjo’s administration.
But Obasanjo has denied this, saying he did not authorise his then Minister of Power, Olu Agunloye to award the contract.
Both Obasanjo and former President Muhammadu Buhari testified in the arbitration.
Speculations had been going round that President Bola Tinubu asked the former leaders to testify but the presidency has denied this.
In an interview with Premium Times after his court appearance, Obasanjo said he volunteered himself to testify.
“I volunteered myself to testify in this case. Nobody sent me to do so. President Tinubu did not ask me to do so as speculated. I didn’t speak to anybody on my intention to testify,” he said.
Obasanjo said he decided to testify because of the statement made by Olu Agunloye which he described as lies.
“I decided to testify because of the statement made on the matter by Olu Agunloye. I considered his claims outrageous and thought I should set the records straight,” he said.
The Mambilla Power Project is one of Africa’s largest hydropower projects. It has been troubled and delayed for decades. It’s supposed to generate over 3,000 megawatts of electricity. It’s a symbol of Nigeria’s unfulfilled infrastructure dreams.
Obasanjo’s testimony shows he wants to clear his conscience and get the records right. The case is a lesson in the intricacies of big infrastructure deals and the importance of transparency in PPP.