- Presidency denies forcing Buhari to testify in Paris arbitration, citing patriotism and conviction as reasons for involvement
- The arbitration case involves the $6 billion Mambilla power project, with proceedings remaining confidential until a decision is made
On Saturday evening, the Presidency refuted circulating accusations that it had coerced former President Muhammadu Buhari or any Nigerian to testify in a Paris arbitration hearing.
According to an online news outlet, former President Buhari was called before a Paris court on Saturday night to testify in an arbitration hearing about the $6 billion Mambilla power deal issue.
However, in a quick response, Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Advisor on Information and Strategy, stated in a statement that this was untrue, although he did not rule out the possibility of such a case.
Onanuga in the statement said, “The attention of the Presidency has been drawn to some fake news on social media about an arbitration proceeding in Paris to which the Nigerian Government is a party.
“The private proceeding, which should not have been reported in the media, is entirely confidential until the international arbitrators decide.
“While respecting the confidentiality of the proceeding, we wish to state categorically that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has not forced anyone to testify for or to refrain from testifying against Nigeria.
“All the eminent Nigerians involved in Nigeria’s defence are doing so willingly and out of sheer patriotism and conviction. President Tinubu and the entire country are grateful to them.”
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