Mambilla Project: IMPI Calls for CCT Review of Atiku Over Alleged Undeclared Offshore Transaction

Mambilla Project: IMPI Calls for CCT Review of Atiku Over Alleged Undeclared Offshore Transaction

The Independent Media and Policy Initiative (IMPI) has called on the Federal Government to consider referring former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) over an alleged undeclared foreign transaction linked to the disputed Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project.

The call followed IMPI's review of a 616-page ruling issued by an International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) arbitral tribunal in Paris concerning the dispute surrounding the 3,960MW Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project.

In a policy statement signed by its Chairman, Dr. Omoniyi Akinsiju, the group said the arbitral award referenced a $500,000 transfer made on January 30, 2003, from China Castle Investments, an offshore company associated with Sunrise Power promoter Leno Adesanya, to a US Citibank account belonging to Jennifer Douglas, who was then married to Atiku Abubakar.

IMPI noted that the payment was made shortly before Sunrise Power submitted its tender for the Mambilla project. The group said the timing of the transaction was among the issues considered in the arbitral proceedings.

According to IMPI, the tribunal did not establish a direct bribery finding against Atiku Abubakar. However, it said the tribunal rejected an explanation that the payment represented a domestic foreign-exchange transaction, citing insufficient supporting financial documentation.

The group argued that the circumstances surrounding the transaction warrant further examination by the appropriate Nigerian authorities, particularly in relation to public officers' obligations concerning foreign accounts and financial disclosures.

Citing Section 7 of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, Akinsiju said the relevant authorities should determine whether any provision of the law was breached, based on the available evidence.

"If the former Vice President was the ultimate source of these foreign funds routed through a third-party offshore entity, or if he maintained undeclared foreign accounts while in office, the appropriate authorities should examine the matter in line with the applicable law," he said.

IMPI also drew attention to aspects of the arbitration proceedings concerning the relationship between Sunrise Power promoter Leno Adesanya and government officials during the early stages of the Mambilla project.

The group referenced diplomatic communications considered during the arbitration, which it said described Adesanya as an "Atiku insider" and indicated that he had access to senior government officials and participated in official delegations to China.

IMPI acknowledged that Atiku was not a direct signatory to the procurement process but argued that his position as Vice President gave him significant influence within the government at the time.

The group maintained that the reported financial transaction and its timing should be independently examined to determine whether any conflict of interest or breach of public-officer obligations occurred.

It therefore urged relevant anti-corruption and regulatory authorities to review the available evidence and take any action warranted by the law.

IMPI also called for stronger institutional safeguards to ensure that major infrastructure projects are conducted through transparent and clearly defined procurement and ministerial processes.

On possible sanctions, the group said any measures against a former public official would depend on the findings of the relevant authorities and the applicable legal provisions, including the jurisdiction of the CCT.