The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has petitioned the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to investigate and intervene against alleged interference with Ghanaian businesses in Nigeria.

The petition was presented at the 95th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, held in Abuja, Nigeria, from Wednesday, December 10, to Friday, December 12, 2025.

During the meeting, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, raised concerns over the treatment of Ghanaian businesses by authorities in neighboring Nigeria.

He condemned what he described as the harassment of Ghanaian investors, particularly Jonah Capital PLC, a real estate company owned by Ghanaian businessman Sir Samuel Jonah.

The Foreign Affairs Minister then submitted a petition on behalf of the company, urging the Council to take action to avert any cross-border trade conflict that might arise as a result.

The Council noted the concerns raised by the Ghanaian minister and requested additional information on the matter.

The petition to ECOWAS follows nearly a year-long ownership dispute over the multi-billion-naira River Park Estate in Abuja, which has escalated into a full-blown corporate crisis.

This comes amid mounting pressure on Nigeria’s Minister of Trade over allegations that Ghanaian-owned companies operating in Nigeria were subjected to extraordinary corporate expropriation, a development that could trigger a Nigeria–Ghana trade dispute between two countries, long regarded as regional partners and economic allies.

At the center of the controversy is Hussaini Ishaq Magaji, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and the Registrar-General of Nigeria’s Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

According to allegations now before Nigeria’s National Assembly and diplomats, Magaji, acting through the CAC, allegedly approved the expropriation and reassignment of shares belonging to JonahCapital Nigeria Limited and Houses for Africa Nigeria Limited, companies owned by prominent Ghanaian businessman Dr Samuel Jonah.

Sam Jonah files petitions over unlawful takeover of his Nigerian businesses

These actions are said to have been taken despite an express directive from the Attorney General of the Federation.

The alleged expropriation reportedly occurred while court proceedings were already pending, with formal service effected on the CAC on November 28, 2025, raising serious questions about due process, judicial respect, and regulatory overreach.

The issue has reportedly triggered concerns within Nigeria’s political ranks, as it is alleged that Hussaini Ishaq Magaji illegally altered the shareholding of JonahCapital, expunged public records, and removed duly appointed directors of the company, while reinstating former directors.

Despite being formally petitioned, Nigeria’s Minister of Trade has yet to issue a public response, deepening concern among investors and the foreign business community.

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