Presidency refutes claims of coercing Buhari to testify in Paris arbitration

The Presidency has dismissed claims circulating online that former President Muhammadu Buhari or any other Nigerian was compelled to testify in an arbitration case currently underway in Paris.

Reports emerged on Saturday evening from an online platform alleging that Buhari had been summoned to a Paris court in relation to the $6 billion Mambilla power project dispute.

In response, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, issued a statement refuting the claim, though he acknowledged the existence of the arbitration case.

“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,” Onanuga stated.

He further explained, “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.”