Adesanya shows patriotism and writes President Tinubu to settle on Mambilla hydro project

It’s no news that Nigeria had a poor outing at the ICC International Commerce of Chambers, at Arbitration of 20th January in Paris.

During the cross examination, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, was put on the hot seat, questioned on his tolerance for the rule of law and it’s strict adherence.

Obasanjo was asked how four (4) senate presidents, four (4) PDP chairmen were removed during his tenure and how five (5) governors were impeached under his democratic rulership as president . The cross examiner was driving the narrative of Obasanjo’s high intolerance record against the rule of law and basic constitution knowledge against his autocratic position “ No minister of mine had powers to commit Nigeria to any foreign contract”

This has been a major issues of contention, which  was finally put to rest with reference to section 15 (5) of the constitution, which  grants ministers to act on behalf of the president.

President Obasanjo finally admitted that in 2003 Federal Executive Council FEC was not  constituted into law up until 2007, and as such Dr. Aguloye had the power to act in favor of Nigeria in 2003 when he gave Sunrise Power a letter of comfort

On another hand, Former President Buhari confessed against his witness statement that he knew and instructed the settlement agreement with Sunrise Power Transmission Company LTD. He further admitted openly that government are exotionist and tend to take advantage.

Other issues were the immediate refusal of former Attorney General Abubarkar Malami to appear at the arbitration even though evidently present in Paris. He supposedly withdrew so as to not contradict himself.

Other key issues stemmed from the immediate departure of former AGF Andoka who was also present in Paris but left almost immediately unable to testify. The tribunal may have pinned that action down as witness tampering.

Whilst some allegations were raised about how Leno Adesanya, Chairperson Sunrise’s had transferred money to government officials, both defence and expert witness reaffirmed that giving gifts in Africa to family members or government officials were a cultural thing and not necessarily deemed corruption. For instance, Sunrise Power gifted Dr. Aguloye 15 years after he left office as a kind gesture.

Emphasis as to how the contact giving to Sunrise had a conditional clause which required funding from the China Exim Bank, which invariably is deemed as a benefit to Nigeria as it required Sunrise to handle the sourcing of funds, which it did, not warranting to bribe anyone.

President’s Buhari’s admittance to the knowledge of the settlement instigated by the government of China further dispels any allegation of corruption.

All in All, as rightly advised by 3 legal luminaries, Nigeria has a bad case and these legal tussle could take another 8 to 15 months which could affect jump starting the project.

This may have formed the basis of a recent letter written by Leno Adesanya to settle amicably after persuasion by some elder states men whom would be pressing on President Tinubu to go the route of amiable settlement in the best interest of all parties.