Fresh controversy has enveloped the lingering River Park Estate crisis as Ghanaians resident in Nigeria have raised the alarm over what they described as sustained attacks on Ghanaian investment giant, JonahCapital, warning that the situation could snowball into a diplomatic issue between Nigeria and Ghana if urgent steps are not taken.
The National Association of Ghanaian Communities in Nigeria (NAGHACON), speaking after inspecting the estate on Thursday, appealed to Presidents Bola Ahmed Tinubu and John Mahama to intervene and ensure that the dispute is resolved through the courts.
Addressing journalists, NAGHACON National President, Lukman Tetteh, alongside the association’s General Secretary, Edwards Domfe, said the leadership travelled from different parts of Nigeria to witness the situation firsthand and stand in solidarity with the Ghanaian-backed investment company.
“Our first objective is to ascertain, at first hand, the incidents that have occurred at JonahCapital’s River Park Estate.
“We have had the opportunity to visit the Gallery Clubhouse and various sites, including the gate house and other structures belonging to JonahCapital, to witness the destruction for ourselves.”
The delegation said what it found during the inspection was disturbing.
“We have observed that several other companies continue to operate undisturbed within River Park Estate, with the exception of JonahCapital. We have also observed the various walls that have been erected around properties belonging to JonahCapital,” the association stated.
The group recalled that JonahCapital had previously faced allegations of forgery during a police investigation before the Attorney-General of the Federation reportedly cleared the company’s directors.
It also referred to an earlier intervention by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), whose ministerial committee had recognised JonahCapital under the Development Lease Agreement.
“We were glad, last year, to see media reports of an interview granted by the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, in which his Ministerial Committee resolved the dispute over ownership of the company and declared JonahCapital the recognised party to the Development Lease Agreement,” it said.
According to the association, the dispute resurfaced after the FCT minister held that the Development Lease Agreement had expired, a position now being challenged in court.
“We are aware, too, that JonahCapital has challenged this position, and that this matter is now properly before a court of law. It is therefore deeply troubling that actions compromising the safety of the company should be taken while this process is under way.”
NAGHACON warned that if the situation is not carefully handled, it could trigger wider consequences beyond the commercial dispute.
“Today, we are all witnesses to the xenophobic violence in South Africa, which has led to reprisals and, tragically, the deaths of African migrants. That unfortunate chapter began with incidents not unlike this one, and gradually grew into what we now witness.
“NAGHACON, as the principal body representing Ghanaians in Nigeria, is concerned about this possibility, as well as about the security and safety of the Ghanaians connected with this company and this estate. We are concerned that a matter currently before the courts is not being allowed to run its course, while these actions continue to be taken against JonahCapital’s staff and assets.”
The association therefore made a direct appeal to the Presidents of both countries.
“We use this medium to appeal to the Presidents of both Ghana and Nigeria to call those responsible for these actions to order, and to allow the court to determine this matter. We also ask that the safety and security of the Ghanaians involved be guaranteed.”
It added that such intervention would help preserve the enduring brotherhood between Nigeria and Ghana.
The appeal followed recent reports of an operation involving armed policemen at River Park Estate in Lugbe, Abuja.
The officers, allegedly attached to the Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) of the Nigeria Police Force, were reportedly seen escorting a group of men to The Gallery Clubhouse, a recreational facility owned by JonahCapital, where part of the entrance was allegedly excavated.
Witnesses claimed members of staff were prevented from interfering with the operation and that the officers declined to disclose the authority under which they were acting.
JonahCapital has since condemned the operation as an unlawful invasion of its property and called for an immediate investigation.
The River Park Estate dispute, one of Abuja’s longest-running property battles, has generated multiple court cases, police investigations and administrative interventions over the ownership and control of JonahCapital Nigeria Limited and related companies.
