Sir Sam Jonah takes Abuja land dispute with Nigeria to ICC arbitration
Ghanaian businessman and mining executive Sir Sam Jonah has commenced international arbitration proceedings against the Nigerian government over a 501-hectare property in Abuja, escalating a long-running dispute over one of his major investments outside Ghana.
Ghanaian businessman Sir Sam Jonah has initiated arbitration proceedings against the Nigerian government over a 501-hectare property dispute in Abuja. The case, being heard by the International Chamber of Commerce in Paris, centers around the termination of a development lease for the River Park Estate, a major residential and commercial project near the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
JonahCapital Nigeria Limited, a subsidiary of Sir Sam Jonah's investment group, holds the investment, which is valued at approximately US$500 million based on current property prices in Abuja. The lease was set to remain in force until June 2030, but the Federal Capital Development Authority terminated it in November 2025. JonahCapital argues that the government failed to provide necessary infrastructure, violated the terms of the agreement, and imposed additional fees and restrictions on the project.
Nigeria's Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, acknowledged the arbitration and stated that the government would abide by the process. The dispute has also led to criminal charges against Sir Sam Jonah, for which he maintains his innocence. The case has garnered attention from the Ghanaian government, which is concerned about protecting its investments in Nigeria.
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