Concerned Group of Ghana Warns Nigeria Over Alleged Xenophobic Attacks on Jonah Capital, Cautions Against Threat to Ghana-Nigeria Relations

The Concerned Group of Ghana (CGG) has strongly condemned what it describes as a sustained campaign of xenophobic attacks against Ghanaian-owned Jonah Capital and its flagship investment, River Park Estate, in Abuja, Nigeria, warning that the actions of Nigerian authorities could undermine regional integration and strain the longstanding relationship between Ghana and Nigeria.

Addressing a press conference in Accra, the Convener of the group, Mr. James Clarke, said the treatment being meted out to Jonah Capital amounts to targeted hostility against a legitimate Ghanaian investment operating in Nigeria.

The group’s reaction follows events that unfolded on July 10, 2026, when the National Association of Ghanaian Communities in Nigeria (NAGHACON) held a press conference at River Park Estate in Abuja.

According to NAGHACON, staff, management and assets of Jonah Capital came under what it described as coordinated attacks by Nigerian state actors following the purported revocation of the company’s Development Lease Agreement and the forceful takeover of portions of its land under the authority of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Nyesom Wike.

Mr. Clarke said such actions represent clear intimidation of a Ghanaian-owned business and should be condemned by all advocates of justice, investment protection and regional cooperation.

Group Accuses Nigerian Police of Ignoring Own Investigation

The Concerned Group of Ghana also accused the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) of Nigeria, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, of disregarding the findings of the Police’s own Special Investigation Panel in the long-running dispute involving Jonah Capital.

According to Mr. Clarke, despite the Special Investigation Panel’s conclusions, the Office of the Inspector-General proceeded to prosecute officials of Jonah Capital on allegations of forgery and related offences in Charge No. CR/402/25.

However, he said an independent review conducted by the Attorney-General of the Federal Republic of Nigeria completely overturned the basis of those prosecutions.

The group disclosed that it possesses certified copies of a letter dated December 30, 2025 (Reference: DPPA/REQ/224/25) from the Attorney-General’s office, which made several key findings.

Among them were:

• No prima facie case of forgery or any related criminal offence had been established against Sir Samuel Esson Jonah, Mr. Kojo Ansah Mensah, Mr. Victor Quainoo, and Mr. Abu Arome.
• The report of the Nigeria Police Special Investigation Panel dated March 28, 2025, was valid, comprehensive and unbiased, and was therefore affirmed.
• The Attorney-General found that the findings of the Police IGP Monitoring Unit were highly misleading because they failed to satisfy the legal burden of proof required for criminal prosecution and improperly attempted to criminalise what was essentially a commercial dispute involving ownership, shareholding and contractual obligations.
• The Attorney-General further ruled that the Nigeria Police acted beyond its legal mandate when it publicly declared certain private individuals as the rightful owners and managers of River Park Estate without any judicial determination, stressing that the police have no authority to determine land ownership or contractual rights.
• The Attorney-General also directed the Nigeria Police Force to investigate allegations of destruction of property, criminal intimidation and assaults against staff, agents, customers and residents of River Park Estate while ensuring peace and security within the estate.

Criminal Charges Dismissed

Mr. Clarke noted that following the Attorney-General’s legal opinion, the criminal case against Jonah Capital’s officials was terminated.

He said on January 20, 2026, the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory struck out the charges in Suit No. FCT/JD/HC/CR/402/2025, adding that the Concerned Group also possesses certified records confirming the court’s decision.

Questions Fresh Government Action

The group questioned why, despite the Attorney-General’s findings and the dismissal of the criminal case, Jonah Capital continues to face actions from another arm of the Nigerian government.

Mr. Clarke said it was difficult to understand why the FCT Administration had chosen to move against the company while issues relating to the Development Lease Agreement remain the subject of ongoing international arbitration.

According to him, although the FCT Minister claims the agreement has expired, Jonah Capital disputes that position and has challenged it before an international arbitral tribunal.

He argued that rather than allowing the legal process to determine the matter, authorities allegedly entered the company’s property with armed personnel, damaged company assets, including parts of the Gallery Clubhouse, and endangered the lives of workers.

“Let us be clear: whether or not the agreement has expired is precisely the question now pending before arbitrators. No party that is confident of its case needs bulldozers and armed men to make its argument,” Mr. Clarke stated.

Raises Concerns Over Previous Actions

The Concerned Group further alleged that Jonah Capital has previously been subjected to other actions by Nigerian institutions.

Mr. Clarke referred to what he described as the unilateral alteration of the company’s shareholding records at Nigeria’s Corporate Affairs Commission under Registrar-General Mr. Hussaini Magaji.

According to him, Nigeria’s National Assembly later intervened and ordered the restoration of the original directors and shareholders.

He also cited the detention of one of the company’s executives by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the same forgery allegations that were later dismissed by the Attorney-General as lacking legal foundation.

Warns Against Undermining AfCFTA

The Concerned Group argued that the treatment of Jonah Capital undermines the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and contradicts efforts aimed at strengthening regional economic integration across Africa.

The group described the actions as anti-investment, anti-regional cooperation and inconsistent with the spirit of free trade and cross-border investment promotion.

Petition to Nigerian High Commission

Mr. Clarke disclosed that the Concerned Group has already petitioned the Nigerian High Commissioner to Ghana over the matter.

The group urged Nigerian authorities to immediately halt what it described as persistent harassment and xenophobic attacks against the Ghanaian company.

It warned that continued actions against Ghanaian businesses operating in Nigeria could provoke retaliatory sentiments against Nigerian businesses operating peacefully in Ghana, including UBA, Zenith Bank and Access Bank, all of which, according to the group, conduct successful business activities in Ghana without harassment.

Ghana’s Response in 2020 Cited

To illustrate what it described as Ghana’s commitment to good neighbourliness, the group recalled the June 2020 demolition of a building on the premises of the Nigerian High Commission in Accra by a private developer.

Mr. Clarke noted that Ghanaians widely condemned the incident, the individual responsible was arrested and prosecuted, and the Government of Ghana undertook the reconstruction of the demolished structure.

He said that response demonstrated Ghana’s respect for diplomatic relations and foreign investments.

“It is therefore painful that the only prominent Ghanaian company in Abuja has suffered such consistent attacks—even in matters pending before courts and arbitrators—while we stand by seemingly unconcerned,” Mr. Clarke lamented.

The Concerned Group of Ghana called on the Nigerian government to respect the rule of law, protect legitimate foreign investments and ensure that the ongoing dispute involving Jonah Capital is resolved through lawful judicial and arbitral processes rather than force.

Source:senaradioonline.com