Ghanaian businessman and mining executive Sir Sam Jonah has commenced arbitration proceedings against the Nigerian government over a 501-hectare property in Abuja.
The case is being heard under the auspices of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Paris and concerns the termination of a development lease held through JonahCapital Nigeria Limited, a subsidiary of Sir Sam Jonah’s investment group.
The property, known as Plot 4 in Cadastral Zone E30, Lugbe West, was allocated to JonahCapital in 2007 under Nigeria’s Mass Housing Scheme.
The company subsequently developed the site into River Park Estate, a residential and mixed-use development that includes housing, commercial facilities, healthcare centres, offices and places of worship.
JonahCapital says its development lease was due to remain in force until June 2030.
The Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) terminated the lease in November 2025. JonahCapital is challenging the termination through arbitration, arguing that it was unlawful and breached the terms of the development agreement.
The company has also raised concerns about infrastructure obligations under the agreement. It says the FCDA did not provide roads, electricity and water as required, leaving the developer to finance and construct the infrastructure.
JonahCapital has further raised issues concerning building approval fees and says parts of the property have been fenced off while the dispute is being resolved.
The company has also alleged that third parties have made ownership claims over parts of the development, leading to legal and administrative disputes.
The allegations form part of the arbitration proceedings and have not been determined by the tribunal.
Wike confirms arbitration
Nigeria’s Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has confirmed that the dispute has been referred to arbitration.
“The other party has gone to arbitration, and we say, ‘Okay, until you finish from arbitration,’” he said.
Mr Wike has maintained that the government acted lawfully in recovering the property after the lease expired.
He has also disputed aspects of JonahCapital’s claims concerning the development, arguing that some projects were undertaken by Paulo Homes Limited, a company engaged by JonahCapital to facilitate certain approvals.
Separate criminal case
The property dispute is separate from criminal proceedings involving Sir Sam Jonah and several other individuals before the Federal Capital Territory High Court.
The 26-count case includes allegations of forgery of company documents and unlawful allocation of shares in companies linked to the Abuja development.
Sir Sam Jonah has denied the allegations. The criminal charges remain before the court.
Ghana raises concerns
The dispute has also attracted the attention of the Ghanaian government.
In late 2025, Sir Sam Jonah petitioned Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, over actions by Nigerian regulatory authorities that he said threatened his interests in the investment.
Mr Ablakwa subsequently raised concerns about the treatment of Ghanaian businesses in Nigeria at an ECOWAS Council of Ministers meeting in Abuja, citing the JonahCapital dispute.
The Foreign Affairs Minister had earlier visited River Park Estate and expressed support for efforts to protect Ghanaian investments abroad.
The ICC arbitration hearing date has not yet been announced.
Sir Sam Jonah is a prominent Ghanaian businessman and former mining executive. He rose to prominence through his leadership of Ashanti Goldfields Company and later became President of AngloGold Ashanti following the 2004 merger between Ashanti Goldfields and AngloGold.
He has since expanded his business interests into mining, energy and real estate across Africa.
