Matilda Omonaiye/
The simmering dispute over Abuja’s River Park Estate has taken a fresh diplomatic dimension, with the National Association of Ghanaian Communities in Nigeria (NAGHACON) appealing to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Ghanaian President John Mahama to intervene before the crisis strains relations between the two West African neighbours.
At a press conference on Thursday, July 9, 2026, the association expressed concern over what it described as sustained actions against Ghanaian-backed investment firm JonahCapital, warning that the dispute could have wider diplomatic and economic implications if not urgently addressed.
NAGHACON, which represents Ghanaian communities across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, said it had dispatched a delegation to Abuja to assess the situation at River Park Estate and evaluate reports of damage to properties linked to the company.
Addressing journalists, the association’s National President, Lukman Tetteh, and General Secretary, Edwards Domfe, said members of the executive committee travelled from different parts of the country to inspect the estate and stand in solidarity with JonahCapital.
“Our first objective is to ascertain, at first hand, the incidents that have occurred at JonahCapital’s River Park Estate,” the leaders said.
According to them, the delegation visited the Gallery Clubhouse, the gatehouse and other JonahCapital facilities, where they observed what they described as extensive damage.
The association said its inspection revealed that JonahCapital appeared to be the only business facing disruption within the estate, despite the continued operations of other companies.
“We have observed that several other companies continue to operate undisturbed within River Park Estate, with the exception of JonahCapital. We have also seen the various walls erected around properties belonging to JonahCapital,” the delegation stated.
NAGHACON recalled that the company had, over the past year, faced a series of legal and administrative challenges, including allegations of forgery that were later dismissed following the intervention of the Attorney-General of the Federation, who reportedly cleared the company’s directors of wrongdoing.
The association also referenced an earlier intervention by the Federal Capital Territory Administration, noting that a ministerial committee had previously recognised JonahCapital as the party to the estate’s Development Lease Agreement.
However, it said the dispute resurfaced after the FCT Minister ruled that the Development Lease Agreement had expired, a decision JonahCapital has challenged in court.
“We are aware that JonahCapital has contested this position and that the matter is now before a competent court. It is therefore deeply troubling that actions affecting the company’s safety and operations continue while judicial proceedings are ongoing,” the association said.
Expressing concern over what it described as attempts to undermine due process, NAGHACON warned that continued hostility towards one of the largest Ghanaian investments in Nigeria could have unintended regional consequences.
Drawing parallels with previous incidents of xenophobic violence elsewhere on the continent, the association urged all parties to exercise restraint.
“Today, we are all witnesses to the xenophobic violence in South Africa, which resulted in reprisals and the tragic loss of African lives. Such crises often begin with isolated incidents before escalating,” the group warned.
It added that it was worried about the safety of Ghanaians connected to the company and the estate, insisting that the dispute should be resolved strictly through the courts.
The association appealed directly to Presidents Tinubu and Mahama to intervene diplomatically, safeguard the rights and security of those affected, and ensure that the rule of law prevails.
“We appeal to the Presidents of both Ghana and Nigeria to call those responsible for these actions to order and allow the courts to determine the matter. We also ask that the safety and security of the Ghanaians involved be guaranteed,” the statement said.
The group concluded by expressing confidence that timely intervention would preserve the long-standing friendship and strong bilateral ties between Nigeria and Ghana.
The appeal follows recent media reports of an operation at River Park Estate in Lugbe, Abuja, involving armed policemen allegedly attached to the Nigeria Police Force Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU).
According to reports, the officers escorted a group of men to the Gallery Clubhouse, a recreational facility owned by JonahCapital, where part of the entrance was reportedly excavated. The company has described the action as an unlawful invasion of its property.
Witnesses claimed the officers prevented staff members from interfering with the operation and declined to disclose the authority under which they were acting.
A video circulating online also captured a heated exchange between a staff member and one of the officers after the employee began recording the incident.
JonahCapital has condemned the operation and called for a thorough investigation.
The incident is the latest development in the long-running ownership and control dispute surrounding River Park Estate, one of Abuja’s largest residential developments. Competing claims over JonahCapital Nigeria Limited and related entities have triggered multiple court cases, police investigations and public exchanges over the past two years.
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