Nigerian Government Denies Forcing Buhari to Testify in Paris Court

The Nigerian government has clarified reports about former President Buhari being compelled to testify in a Paris court, dismissing claims of coercion.

The Presidency has refuted claims that it “compelled” former Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari, to provide testimony in an arbitration proceeding in Paris.

However, it did not deny that such a proceeding was underway.

In a statement, the Presidency asserted that all individuals testifying in Nigeria’s defense are doing so voluntarily.

The statement, issued by Bayo Onanuga, President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, was in response to news that had rapidly spread across social media.

According to reports, Buhari has been called to appear before a Paris court in an arbitration case regarding the $6 billion Mambilla power contract dispute.

The report stated that the former president was “brought before the court on Saturday for violating the conditions of a power generation and distribution contract granted to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company of Nigeria by then-President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2003.”

It was also claimed that Buhari underwent extended questioning on Saturday, with plans to continue his testimony on Sunday at the International Chamber of Commerce Court of Arbitration in Paris for case number 26260/SPN/AB/CPB.

However, the Presidency has responded by calling the reports “fake news.”

Onanuga stated, “Although we respect the confidentiality of the proceedings, we must clearly assert that President Bola Tinubu has not pressured anyone to testify either for or against Nigeria.”

All the distinguished Nigerians engaged in the defense of Nigeria are doing so voluntarily, driven by pure patriotism and conviction.

“President Tinubu, along with the entire nation, extends gratitude to them.”