River Park Dispute: Ghanaian Community Seeks Tinubu, Mahama’s Urgent Intervention

The National Association of Ghanaian Communities in Nigeria (NAGHACON) has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Ghanaian President John Mahama to urgently intervene in the lingering River Park Estate dispute in Abuja, warning that the situation could strain diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Ghana if not properly managed.

The appeal followed growing concerns over alleged actions against Ghanaian investment firm JonahCapital, one of the key parties in the protracted ownership dispute surrounding the estate.

Addressing journalists in Abuja on Thursday, the association’s National President, Lukman Tetteh, and General Secretary, Edwards Domfe, said the group’s national leadership had visited River Park Estate to assess the situation and inspect facilities belonging to JonahCapital.

According to them, the delegation visited The Gallery Clubhouse, the estate’s gatehouse and other company-owned structures, where they observed what they described as damage to the firm’s assets.
The association expressed concern that JonahCapital appeared to be the only company allegedly facing such actions despite several businesses continuing to operate within the estate.

It also claimed to have observed barriers erected around some of the company’s properties, describing the development as disturbing while legal proceedings over the dispute remain pending before the courts.

NAGHACON recalled that JonahCapital was previously investigated by the police over allegations of forgery but noted that the Attorney-General of the Federation later cleared the company’s directors of any wrongdoing.

The association further referred to an earlier intervention by the Federal Capital Territory Administration, which reportedly recognised JonahCapital as the party to the Development Lease Agreement before the matter resurfaced after the FCT Minister declared that the agreement had expired.

According to the association, JonahCapital has challenged that position in court, making it inappropriate for actions capable of affecting the company’s operations to continue while the matter is still awaiting judicial determination.

It warned that failure to respect the judicial process could have wider implications beyond the commercial dispute.

Drawing parallels with previous xenophobic attacks in parts of South Africa, the association cautioned against allowing the disagreement to degenerate into a diplomatic issue capable of affecting citizens of both Nigeria and Ghana.

It therefore appealed to Presidents Tinubu and Mahama to intervene by ensuring that the rule of law is respected, the safety of Ghanaians connected with the company is guaranteed, and all parties allow the courts to determine the dispute.

The association maintained that timely intervention by both leaders would help preserve the longstanding cordial relationship between Nigeria and Ghana.
The appeal comes days after reports emerged of an operation involving armed policemen allegedly attached to the Counter Terrorism Unit of the Nigeria Police Force at River Park Estate in Lugbe, Abuja.

The officers were reportedly seen escorting a group of men to The Gallery Clubhouse, a recreational facility owned by JonahCapital, where part of the entrance was allegedly excavated during the operation.

Witnesses claimed the officers prevented staff from interfering and declined to disclose the authority under which the operation was being carried out.

A video from the scene also showed a tense exchange between one of the company’s employees and a police officer after the staff member began recording the incident.

JonahCapital has since condemned the operation, describing it as an unlawful invasion of its property, and called for an immediate investigation.

The River Park Estate dispute has remained one of Abuja’s most closely watched property battles, with competing ownership claims resulting in multiple court cases, police investigations and public exchanges over the past two years.