The UK Supreme Court has ruled in favour of Nigeria in its long-standing legal battle with P&ID, affirming the country’s right to recover £44 million in legal costs after overturning a fraudulent $11 billion arbitration award
UK Supreme Court Rules in Favour of Nigeria, Orders P&ID to Pay £44m Legal Costs in Landmark Judgment
In a historic victory for Nigeria, the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom has ruled in favour of the Federal Government, dismissing an appeal filed by Process & Industrial Developments Limited (P&ID) over the payment of £44 million in legal costs.
The judgment, delivered on Thursday, reinforces Nigeria’s right to recover its legal expenses in British pounds sterling (GBP), following its earlier triumph in overturning a fraudulent $11 billion arbitration award against the country.
The ruling brings to a close yet another chapter in Nigeria’s protracted international legal battle with P&ID — a dispute that once posed a serious threat to the nation’s financial stability.
P&ID had appealed a previous ruling that ordered it to reimburse Nigeria’s legal costs in pounds, arguing that the amount should instead be converted to Nigerian naira (NGN). However, the UK Supreme Court dismissed the appeal in its entirety, affirming that Nigeria had rightfully incurred and paid the legal expenses in the UK’s currency.
This marks a significant legal and moral victory for Nigeria, after the London High Court in 2023 found that the original gas processing contract between Nigeria and P&ID had been tainted by bribery, deceit, and gross misconduct, describing the arbitration award as “the most severe abuse of the arbitral process.”
Reacting to the ruling, Nigeria’s Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), described the judgment as a “victory for justice, transparency, and the Nigerian people.”
“This ruling confirms that Nigeria acted rightly and decisively in challenging a scheme that sought to exploit the nation’s resources through fraud and deceit,” Fagbemi said.
“The Federal Government remains resolute in defending the interests of our people wherever they are threatened.”
The Attorney-General added that the outcome underscores Nigeria’s commitment to accountability and reinforces global confidence in the integrity of the UK’s judicial system.
The P&ID case has drawn international attention for its implications on sovereign arbitration, anti-corruption enforcement, and the protection of national assets in cross-border disputes.
By securing this latest win, Nigeria not only safeguards its sovereign integrity but also recovers substantial legal costs — a financial relief and symbolic triumph for the Tinubu administration.
With this ruling, Nigeria reaffirms its stance against fraudulent schemes and sets a powerful precedent for other developing nations facing unfair international arbitration practices. Read More
