Ghanaian businessman and mining executive, Sir Sam Jonah, has initiated international arbitration proceedings against the Nigerian government over a disputed 501-hectare property in Abuja, in a case with potential implications for Ghanaian investments in Nigeria and the wider West African region.
The arbitration, being conducted under the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Paris, follows the termination of a development lease covering the property near the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
The investment is held through Jonah Capital Nigeria Limited, a subsidiary of Sir Sam Jonah’s investment group.
The disputed property, Plot 4 in Cadastral Zone E30, Lugbe West, was allocated to Jonah Capital in 2007 under Nigeria’s Mass Housing Scheme.
The company subsequently developed the site into River Park Estate, a major private residential development comprising housing units, commercial facilities, healthcare centres, offices and places of worship.
Jonah Capital maintains that its development lease remains valid until June 2030. However, the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) terminated the lease in November 2025, a decision the company says was unlawful and contrary to the development agreement.
In the arbitration, Jonah Capital alleges that Nigerian authorities failed to fulfil key obligations under the agreement, particularly the provision of roads, electricity and water.
The company says the failure compelled it to finance and construct the infrastructure at considerable cost.
It also alleges breaches relating to building approval fees and claims that authorities have fenced off portions of the property while the arbitration is ongoing.
Jonah Capital further says it has spent years defending ownership claims by third parties who sought to assert rights over portions of the estate during its development.
The allegations have not been tested before the arbitration tribunal.
The value of the claim has not been disclosed, although reports estimate the property could be worth about US$500 million based on current property values in Abuja.
Nigeria’s Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has confirmed that arbitration proceedings are underway and said the government would allow the process to run its course.
“The other party has gone to arbitration and we say okay, until you finish from arbitration,” he said.
Mr Wike maintains that the government lawfully recovered the land after the lease expired.
Separately, Nigerian authorities have filed a 26-count criminal charge against Sir Sam Jonah and others, alleging forgery of company documents and unlawful allocation of shares linked to the Abuja development.
Sir Sam Jonah has denied the allegations, which are yet to be tested in court.
BY TIMES REPORTER
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