The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has formally nullified a controversial investigation carried out by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) Monitoring Unit into allegations of fraud and forgery against prominent Ghanaian businessmen in the Federal Capital Territory.
The AGF’s decision was conveyed in a circular issued by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF) to the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun. The circular follows a comprehensive review of all investigation files submitted by the police.
In the document, referenced DPPA/REQ/224/25 and dated December 30, 2025, the AGF ruled that there was no basis for criminal prosecution against Sir Samuel Esson Jonah, Mr. Kojo Ansah Mensah, Mr. Victor Quainoo, and Mr. Abu Arome, Esq.
According to the DPPF:
“No prima facie case of forgery or related offences as contained in Charge No: CR/402/25 has been established against the aforementioned individuals.”
The AGF consequently discontinued the 26-count charge of fraud and forgery earlier announced by the police. The circular further affirmed the findings of the 13-member Special Investigation Panel (SIP) led by DCP Imam, which had investigated petitions concerning Jonah Capital Nigeria Limited and Houses for Africa Nigeria Limited.
“The investigation and findings by the Special Investigation Panel on petitions relating to Houses for Africa Nigeria Limited and Jonah Capital Nigeria Limited, dated 28th March 2025, are valid, comprehensive, and unbiased, and are hereby affirmed,” the circular stated.
Fagbemi described the Monitoring Unit’s investigation, led by CP Akin Fakorede, as legally defective, noting that it mischaracterised a commercial and contractual dispute as a criminal matter. The circular observed:
“The investigation and findings by the IGP Monitoring Unit were highly misleading, disregarding the burden and standard of proof necessary to establish criminal liability, and inappropriately attempted to characterise a commercial disagreement as a criminal matter, contrary to Section 8(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.”
The controversy arose in June 2025, when CP Fakorede and then Force Public Relations Officer Muyiwa Adejobi held a press briefing accusing Sir Sam Jonah and his associates of fraud. The AGF has since deemed those actions unlawful and prejudicial, emphasising that the police do not have the jurisdiction to independently determine land ownership or adjudicate contractual disputes.
Following the press conference, the businessmen alleged that the Monitoring Unit had suppressed the SIP report and initiated a separate investigation. In a petition dated May 22, 2025, Sir Sam Jonah stated that the SIP report, which had been disclosed on April 9, 2025, was subsequently disregarded by CP Fakorede.
Amid escalating tensions and violent incidents within River Park Estate, the Federal Capital Territory Minister established an investigative committee headed by Salman Dako, General Counsel of the FCTA.
Further complications emerged in December 2025, when the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) allegedly altered the shareholding structure of Jonah Capital Nigeria Limited and Houses for Africa Nigeria Limited, despite court processes and AGF directives. This prompted Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, to petition the ECOWAS Conference of Foreign Ministers, citing harassment of Ghanaian investments in Nigeria.
Following his review, the AGF directed the Registrar-General of the CAC, Hussaini Ishaq Magaji, to restore the ownership and shareholding of the affected companies to their previous status.
The circular also drew attention to unresolved allegations of violence in River Park Estate, including property destruction, intimidation, and assault allegedly linked to directives by Paul Odili.
The AGF’s intervention reinforces the primacy of due process in commercial and criminal matters, and underscores the importance of adhering to legal standards before declaring individuals culpable.
