Renowned Ghanaian businessman and mining executive Sir Sam Jonah has commenced international arbitration proceedings against the Nigerian government over a disputed 501-hectare property in Abuja, escalating a land dispute that could have wider implications for Ghanaian businesses operating in Nigeria.

The case, being heard under the rules of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Paris, follows the termination of a development lease covering land located near the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

The investment is held through JonahCapital Nigeria Limited, a subsidiary of Sir Sam Jonah’s investment group.

The disputed property was allocated to the company in 2007 under Nigeria’s Mass Housing Scheme and was subsequently developed into the River Park Estate, a major residential and commercial community featuring homes, offices, healthcare facilities, commercial spaces and places of worship.

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JonahCapital maintains that its development lease is valid until June 2030. However, Nigeria’s Federal Capital Development Authority terminated the lease in November 2025, prompting the company to challenge the decision through international arbitration.

The company alleges that Nigerian authorities failed to meet several obligations under the original agreement, including the provision of roads, electricity and water.

JonahCapital says it was instead forced to finance and construct key infrastructure itself, while also facing disputes over building approval fees and claims by third parties to portions of the property.

It further alleges that sections of the estate have been fenced off while the arbitration remains ongoing. The claims are yet to be determined by the tribunal.

Nigeria’s Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has confirmed that the arbitration is underway and said the government would allow the process to take its course.

“The other party has gone to arbitration and we say okay, until you finish from arbitration,” he said.

Wike has maintained that the government acted lawfully in recovering the property, while also arguing that some developments linked to the dispute were undertaken by Paulo Homes Limited, a company engaged by JonahCapital.

The land dispute is also unfolding alongside a criminal case in Nigeria, where Sir Sam Jonah and others face a 26-count charge involving alleged forgery and unlawful allocation of shares in companies connected to the Abuja project.

Sir Sam Jonah has denied the allegations.

FKA/EB

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