Convener of CCG, James Clarke, addressing the media
The Concerned Citizens of Ghana (CCG) has called on President John Mahama and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, to engage the Government of Nigeria over allegations of harassment of Ghanaian workers at Jonah Capital and River Park Estate in Nigeria.
Speaking at a press conference yesterday in Accra, convener of the group, James Clarke, said the developments surrounding Jonah Capital’s investment in Nigeria had become a matter of national concern, and if not addressed, could result in dispute as well as strain diplomatic relations between Ghana and Nigeria.
According to the group, some assets of Jonah Capital have also been attacked by Nigerian authorities following a purported revocation of the company’s Development Lease Agreement.
The group appealed to both governments to allow ongoing due process, including arbitration, to supersede force in resolving the dispute.
The group alleged that armed police officers reportedly attached to the Counter-Terrorism Unit of the Nigeria Police Force participated in an operation at the company’s Gallery Clubhouse at River Park Estate, during which part of the facility’s entrance was destroyed.
“We therefore call on His Excellency the President and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration to take this matter up formally and promptly with the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“We call on the authorities in Nigeria to halt all enforcement actions at River Park Estate, secure the safety of the Ghanaians connected with the estate, and allow the arbitration and court processes to run their course,” the group stated.
The convener said in June 2025, it petitioned the Nigerian High Commissioner to Ghana over what it described as attempts by the then Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to disregard the findings of the Nigeria Police Special Investigation Panel in a criminal case involving Jonah Capital and its directors.
Mr. Clarke said an independent review by Nigeria’s Attorney-General of the Federation subsequently concluded that there was no prima facie evidence to support allegations of forgery and related offences against the company’s officials.
He noted that the Attorney-General also affirmed the findings of the Special Investigation Panel and criticised attempts to criminalise what he described as a commercial dispute.
He added that, following the Attorney-General’s directive, the Federal Capital Territory High Court struck out the criminal charges against the company’s executives in January 2026.
The group indicated that despite those developments, Jonah Capital was still facing challenges with state authorities in Abuja.
“We are concerned that while the Minister claims Jonah Capital’s agreement has expired, a claim the company is challenging before international arbitration, his administration has entered the company’s lands with armed men, damaged company assets and put the lives of staff at risk.
“Whether or not the agreement has expired is precisely the question now before arbitrators. No party confident of its case needs bulldozers and armed men to make its argument,” he stated.
Mr. Clarke noted that several Nigerian banks, including UBA, Zenith Bank and Access Bank, continue to operate successfully in Ghana without interference and, therefore, asked the Nigerian Government to equally support Ghanaian businesses.
“It is painful that the most prominent Ghanaian company in Abuja has suffered such consistent attacks while we stand by, seemingly unconcerned,” he pointed out.
The group further mentioned that the ongoing dispute undermines the objectives of regional integration being promoted by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), particularly the protection of cross-border investments and the free movement of businesses within the sub-region.
“We are asking the Government of Ghana to engage the Government of Nigeria firmly, and at the highest level, to ensure that Ghanaians are treated with dignity and fairness, exactly as Nigerians are treated in Ghana,” Mr. Clarke added.
By Ebenezer K. Amponsah