General News
CCG Urges Ghana Government to Intervene Over JonahCapital Dispute in Nigeria
The Concerned Citizens of Ghana (CCG) has called on the Government of Ghana to urgently engage Nigerian authorities over what it describes as the continued harassment of Ghanaian investment firm JonahCapital and its flagship River Park Estate project in Abuja.
Addressing a press conference in Accra on Wednesday, July 16, 2026, the Convener of CCG, James Clark, warned that the treatment of the Ghanaian company could strain the longstanding relationship between Ghana and Nigeria if the matter is not addressed through diplomatic channels.
According to Mr. Clark, the group’s concerns were heightened following a press conference held on July 10, 2026, by the National Association of Ghanaian Communities in Nigeria (NAGHACON) at River Park Estate in Abuja. During that briefing, NAGHACON alleged that staff and assets belonging to JonahCapital had come under coordinated attacks by state actors after the reported revocation of the company’s Development Lease Agreement.
He said the operation allegedly involved armed police officers attached to the Counter-Terrorism Unit of the Nigeria Police Force, who reportedly entered the company’s property under the authority of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike. The operation reportedly resulted in part of the entrance to the company’s Gallery Clubhouse being excavated and damaged.
Previous legal battle
James Clark recalled that this was not the first time JonahCapital had faced legal and administrative challenges in Nigeria.
He explained that in June 2025, CCG petitioned the Nigerian High Commissioner to Ghana over what it described as attempts by the then Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to disregard the findings of the Nigeria Police Special Investigation Panel.
Despite the panel’s findings, the Inspector-General’s office proceeded to charge JonahCapital executives with criminal offences, including forgery, under Charge No. CR/402/25.
However, following an independent review, Nigeria’s Attorney-General of the Federation, in a letter dated December 30, 2025 (Reference: DPPA/REQ/224/25), concluded that no criminal case had been established against the accused persons.
According to the statement, the Attorney-General found that:
- No prima facie case of forgery or related offences had been established against Samuel Esson Jonah, Kojo Ansah Mensah, Victor Quainoo and Abu Arome.
- The Special Investigation Panel’s report dated March 28, 2025, was valid, comprehensive and unbiased, and was therefore affirmed.
- The findings of the IGP Monitoring Unit were described as “highly misleading” because they attempted to criminalise what was essentially a commercial dispute concerning ownership, shareholding and contractual issues.
- The Nigeria Police acted beyond its legal authority by publicly declaring certain private individuals as owners and managers of River Park Estate without any court ruling.
- Allegations involving destruction of property, criminal intimidation and assault against staff, customers and residents of River Park Estate had not been investigated, prompting directives for fresh investigations while ensuring security for residents.
Mr. Clark stated that based on those findings, the Attorney-General ordered the criminal charges to be withdrawn, leading the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory to strike out the case on January 20, 2026, under Suit No. FCT/JD/HC/CR/402/2025.
Renewed dispute
Despite the dismissal of the criminal charges, CCG expressed concern that JonahCapital is once again facing what it described as attacks from another branch of the Nigerian government.
According to the group, the FCT Minister has claimed that JonahCapital’s Development Lease Agreement has expired. However, James Clark noted that the company has challenged that position through international arbitration, making the matter legally unresolved.
He argued that since arbitration proceedings are ongoing, enforcement actions involving armed security personnel and damage to company property should not be taking place.
“No party that is confident of its case needs bulldozers and armed men to make its argument,” Mr. Clark stated.
Other concerns raised
The group also referred to previous developments involving JonahCapital, including what it described as the unilateral alteration of the company’s shareholding records at Nigeria’s Corporate Affairs Commission under Registrar-General Hussaini Magaji.
According to CCG, Nigeria’s National Assembly later directed that the alterations be reversed, restoring the company’s directors and shareholders.
James Clark further recalled the detention of one of the company’s executives by Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the same forgery allegations that were subsequently dismissed by the Attorney-General.
Calls on Ghana and Nigeria
The Concerned Citizens of Ghana criticised what it described as the lack of a strong response from the Ghanaian government despite the repeated challenges facing JonahCapital.
The group contrasted the situation with Ghana’s treatment of Nigerian businesses, noting that several Nigerian companies, including UBA, Zenith Bank and Access Bank, continue to operate successfully in Ghana without harassment.
Mr. Clark also referenced the June 2020 demolition of a building on the premises of the Nigerian High Commission in Accra, pointing out that Ghana condemned the incident, arrested and prosecuted the perpetrator, and undertook the reconstruction of the damaged structure.
He said Ghana had demonstrated good neighbourliness and expected similar treatment for Ghanaian businesses operating in Nigeria.
ECOWAS concerns
CCG further noted that the issue comes at a time when ECOWAS leaders are meeting in Freetown, Sierra Leone, arguing that the treatment of JonahCapital undermines the regional bloc’s principles of free movement, investment protection and the right of establishment across member states.
The group warned that if a major Ghanaian investment could face such treatment while legal proceedings remain ongoing, it could discourage cross-border investment throughout West Africa.
Demands
The Concerned Citizens of Ghana called on:
- President of Ghana and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration to formally engage the Nigerian government over the matter.
- Nigerian authorities to suspend all enforcement activities at River Park Estate.
- Authorities to ensure the safety and security of Ghanaians connected to the estate.
- Both countries to allow arbitration and court proceedings to determine the dispute rather than resorting to force.
James Clark stressed that the group was not seeking immunity for Ghanaian businesses operating abroad but was demanding that Ghanaian investors receive the same respect, fairness and legal protection that foreign investors enjoy in Ghana.
He concluded by urging both governments to preserve the strong relationship between Ghana and Nigeria by allowing the rule of law—not force—to determine the outcome of the dispute.
He also noted that, out of respect for the ongoing arbitration, the group would not comment further on the substantive issues before the arbitral tribunal and encouraged the public to exercise similar restraint.