A Ghanaian advocacy group, Concerned Citizens of Ghana, has called on President John Dramani Mahama to engage the Nigerian government over what it described as the treatment of Jonah Capital, a Ghanaian-owned company with investments in Nigeria.
The group’s convener, Mr Samuel A. Clark, made the appeal during a press conference in Accra on Friday, urging the President, the Chief of Staff and the Minister of Foreign Affairs to intervene to protect the company’s investments and the interests of Ghanaians working in Nigeria.
Clark said Jonah Capital had operated in Nigeria for several years and conducted its business without major disruptions until recent disputes arose. According to him, the company experienced challenges in 2025, but intervention by the Nigerian authorities, including President Bola Tinubu and the Inspector-General of Police, helped restore normal operations.
He, however, alleged that fresh challenges emerged about three weeks ago when officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), accompanied by security personnel, entered the company’s flagship investment, River Park Estate in Abuja.
Clark claimed the operation resulted in damage to property and created fear among staff, residents and customers at the estate.
He further stated that the dispute is currently before an international arbitration panel, arguing that enforcement actions should not be taken while the matter remains subject to judicial and arbitral proceedings.
The group also claimed that Nigeria’s Attorney-General had previously reviewed allegations of forgery involving officials of Jonah Capital and found insufficient grounds for prosecution. According to Clark, the Attorney-General subsequently directed that the criminal case be withdrawn, after which it was struck out by a High Court in Abuja in January.
Clark expressed concern that despite the court’s decision, the company had allegedly continued to face actions from another arm of the Nigerian government.
He further alleged that armed personnel entered parts of River Park Estate, including the Gallery Clubhouse, and that company assets were damaged during the operation.
Clark also alleged that there had been attempts to alter the company’s shareholding structure unlawfully, while reports of assault, intimidation and destruction of property at the estate had not received adequate investigation.
Drawing a comparison with Ghana, Clark said Nigerian-owned banks and other businesses continue to operate in the country without interference and are able to repatriate their profits in line with the law.
He cited Ghana’s handling of the 2020 demolition of a building at the Nigerian High Commission in Accra as an example of the country’s commitment to protecting foreign investments, and urged the Mahama administration to engage the Nigerian authorities through diplomatic channels to ensure a fair resolution of the dispute.
The Nigerian authorities and the Federal Capital Territory Administration have not publicly responded to the allegations made by the group. Jonah Capital’s dispute with Nigerian authorities remains subject to ongoing legal and arbitral processes.
