Ghanaian business mogul Sir Samuel Esson Jonah and two of his partners have taken legal action in Nigeria, alleging harassment and intimidation by top law enforcement officers amid an ongoing land dispute. The three businessmen, who co-own the River Park Estate development in Abuja, are accusing officials from the Nigerian Police and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of obstructing justice and targeting them unfairly.
In a case filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, the plaintiffs are demanding ₦200 million in exemplary damages—equivalent to over one million Ghanaian cedis. They’re also seeking the release of a long-awaited report from a panel set up to investigate the ownership of the contested land, as well as a court order to prevent further interference or harassment.
Among those named in the suit are the Inspector General of Police, the Commissioner of Police in the Federal Capital Territory, DCP Akin Fakorede of the IGP Monitoring Unit, and EFCC officials including Michael Wetkas and Eunice Vou Dalyop.
Sir Samuel, alongside Kojo Ansah Mensah and Victor Quainoo, claims that their company, JonahCapital Nigeria Limited, lawfully acquired ownership of land within the River Park Estate. The dispute traces back to a 2013 joint venture with a development partner, Houses for Africa. They now accuse another firm—Paulo Homes Limited—and its CEO, Paul Odili, of trespassing on more than 120 hectares of land not covered by their agreement.
The Ghanaian group also alleges that Mr. Odili falsified land documents in an attempt to claim ownership of the disputed area. According to Kojo Ansah-Mensah, a committee was established by the Nigerian Inspector General of Police to investigate the matter. While the committee reportedly completed its work, the panel’s findings have not been released—despite formal requests from the Ghanaian High Commission in Nigeria and the country’s Attorney General.
What followed, the plaintiffs say, was a fresh investigation ordered by DCP Fakorede, which they claim has been used as a tool for intimidation. They allege continued efforts to suppress the original findings, citing attempts to use law enforcement to tag, threaten, and apply pressure on both their persons and their property.
Citing sections of the Nigerian Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the plaintiffs are calling on the court to affirm their right to fair treatment, dignity, and protection of their investments. They insist this case goes beyond a land dispute—it’s about safeguarding the legal rights of foreign investors in Nigeria and upholding the principles of justice and accountability.
