The Nigerian presidency has responded to allegations that former President Muhammadu Buhari was summoned to a Paris court.
Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, in a statement released on Saturday night, confirmed the occurrence of a “private proceeding” and clarified that President Bola Tinubu did not compel any prominent Nigerian to testify for or against the nation.
Earlier reports indicated that Buhari had provided testimony in an arbitration proceeding regarding a federal power contract dispute.
These reports suggested that Buhari appeared in court on Saturday due to accusations of violating the terms of a power generation and distribution contract awarded to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company of Nigeria by former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2003.
This $6 billion project has been in development for over two decades, with its principal figure, Leno Adesanya, currently under investigation for allegations of bribery involving a former minister to secure the contract.
Buhari reportedly endured hours of questioning on Saturday, with expectations to continue his testimony on Sunday before the International Chamber of Commerce Court of Arbitration in Paris.
Further reports alleged that a senior administration official revealed Buhari’s initial reluctance to testify, claiming he was persuaded to appear after Attorney-General Lateef Fagbemi visited him at his residence in Daura.
However, Onanuga asserted that the arbitration proceeding is confidential, emphasising that all distinguished Nigerians involved in Nigeria’s defence are participating voluntarily.
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.”
