Sir Sam Jonah takes Abuja property dispute with Nigeria to international arbitration in Paris

Ghanaian mining executive Sir Sam Jonah has taken a major property dispute with the Nigerian government to international arbitration in Paris. The conflict revolves around a 501-hectare real estate project in Abuja, Nigeria, known as the River Park Estate. The development, which spans residential homes, commercial hubs, healthcare facilities, office complexes, and places of worship, was initially granted to JonahCapital Nigeria Limited in 2007 under Nigeria's Mass Housing Scheme.

JonahCapital claims that it had an authorized development lease valid until June 2030. However, in November 2025, the Federal Capital Development Authority terminated the lease without prior notice, prompting JonahCapital to contest the decision as unlawful and in violation of the original contractual terms. JonahCapital asserts that the Nigerian authorities failed to deliver promised infrastructure, leading the company to bear the financial burden of constructing basic services like roads, electrical grids, and water systems.

The dispute extends beyond commercial grievances, as it also involves criminal proceedings in Abuja where Sir Sam Jonah and others face a twenty-six-count indictment, including accusations of document forgery and illegal allocation of company shares. The Nigerian government maintains that it acted legally to recover the property following the lease expiration.

Meanwhile, the Ghanaian government has intervened diplomatically, expressing concerns over the treatment of Ghanaian enterprises in Nigeria and signaling support for JonahCapital's financial interests. The outcome of this legal battle, an arbitration proceeding at the International Chamber of Commerce in Paris, will have significant implications for cross-border commercial protections and bilateral economic relations in West Africa.