The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has commended the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for their continuing efforts to protect Nigeria from potentially crippling financial liabilities arising from questionable contractual and arbitration claims.
HURIWA says the latest International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) arbitration award concerning the long-running Mambilla hydropower dispute represents another significant development in the struggle to prevent Nigeria from being subjected to unjustified financial obligations running into hundreds of millions of dollars.
The 616-page final award delivered in Paris on September 16, 2026, reportedly rejected Sunrise Power’s claims in their entirety and severely criticised the handling of the dispute by former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN.
Of particular concern to HURIWA are the tribunal’s findings that the settlement agreements involving Sunrise were products of corruption and unenforceable on grounds of Nigerian public policy, as well as its conclusion that Malami acted against Nigeria’s interests in the renegotiation of the settlement terms.
The tribunal further found that Malami and former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, lacked the authority to bind the Federal Government without presidential approval. It also found that the former AGF continued seeking presidential approval after then-President Muhammadu Buhari had expressly rejected the proposed settlement.
HURIWA considers these findings grave enough to demand institutional scrutiny beyond the arbitration proceedings.
The human rights organisation therefore calls on the relevant professional and regulatory authorities to examine the findings contained in the ICC award and determine whether they disclose any breach of professional conduct by the former Attorney-General.
HURIWA specifically calls on the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) and other competent professional bodies to examine the matter within their statutory mandates and to initiate appropriate disciplinary proceedings if the evidence establishes a prima facie case of professional misconduct.
Where such proceedings establish professional misconduct warranting further action concerning the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, HURIWA calls on the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC), which has statutory responsibility for the SAN rank, to take whatever action is permitted by law.
HURIWA stresses that no professional distinction, however prestigious, should place any lawyer beyond accountability where credible findings raise questions about adherence to professional ethics and the duty owed to the Nigerian state.
The organisation is equally encouraged by the role of the EFCC in investigating matters connected with the Mambilla dispute. The ICC tribunal noted that Nigeria had informed it that Malami was under investigation by the EFCC at the time he declined to appear for oral examination.
HURIWA therefore urges the EFCC to pursue any investigation involving the former AGF strictly in accordance with the law, due process and the available evidence, without political interference or selective enforcement.
The association also commends the present Attorney-General of the Federation for defending the financial interests of Nigeria in a matter in which the country faced claims capable of exposing the treasury to enormous liabilities.
The tribunal found that Sunrise had sought $400 million under the settlement arrangement, while its original arbitration claim was reportedly worth more than $2.3 billion. The tribunal ultimately rejected the claims and ordered Sunrise and its promoter, Leno Adesanya, to reimburse Nigeria more than $12 million in legal fees and arbitration costs.
For HURIWA, the lesson from the Mambilla saga goes beyond one arbitration victory.
Nigeria must end the era in which public officials can negotiate away the interests of the Nigerian people behind closed doors and leave taxpayers to bear the consequences.
The association believes that every public officer entrusted with the nation’s legal, financial or contractual interests must understand that the resources involved belong to over 200 million Nigerians.
HURIWA consequently urges the Federal Government to establish stronger safeguards around major settlement agreements, international arbitration matters and contracts capable of exposing Nigeria to substantial financial liabilities.
The organisation also calls for a comprehensive review of past high-value settlements entered into on behalf of the Federal Government, particularly where questions have been raised about due authorisation, transparency, value to Nigeria and compliance with public procurement and financial regulations.
The Nigerian treasury cannot remain an open field for invisible contractors, middlemen and officials who may seek to convert public obligations into private fortunes.
HURIWA maintains that the Mambilla arbitration award should therefore serve as a watershed in Nigeria’s fight against institutionalised waste, questionable settlements and abuse of public trust.
We commend the current Attorney-General and the EFCC for defending the nation’s financial interests and urge them to remain resolute.
At the same time, we demand that every credible allegation arising from the ICC findings be subjected to transparent investigation and, where wrongdoing is established, appropriate legal and professional sanctions must follow.
Nigeria’s public treasury is not a private inheritance. It belongs to the Nigerian people and must be defended with every lawful instrument available.
Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko
National Coordinator
Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA)
20th, September 2026
