Ghanaian Group to Mahama: Intervene as Nigerian Authorities Allegedly Target Jonah Capital

A Ghanaian civil society group, Concerned Citizens of Ghana, has urged President John Dramani Mahama to engage the Nigerian government over what it described as the alleged harassment of Ghanaian-owned investment firm, Jonah Capital, in Nigeria.

The appeal was made on Thursday in Accra by the group’s convener, Samuel A. Clark, who called on President Mahama, the Chief of Staff and the Minister of Foreign Affairs to take urgent diplomatic steps to protect the company’s investments and the interests of Ghanaians working in Nigeria.

Clark alleged that Jonah Capital, which has operated in Nigeria for several years, had enjoyed smooth business operations until recent disputes emerged.

According to him, although the company faced challenges in 2025, intervention by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Inspector-General of Police helped restore normalcy, allowing operations to continue.

He, however, claimed that fresh challenges resurfaced about three weeks ago when officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, accompanied by armed security personnel, allegedly stormed River Park Estate in Abuja, the company’s flagship investment.

Clark alleged that the operation resulted in the destruction of company property and intimidation of staff, residents and customers.

He further stated that the dispute involving the estate is already before an international arbitration panel, questioning why force was allegedly deployed while legal proceedings were still ongoing.

The group also claimed that Nigeria’s Attorney-General had previously reviewed allegations of forgery against officials of Jonah Capital and found no grounds for prosecution, leading to the withdrawal of the criminal charges.

According to Clark, the case was subsequently struck out by a High Court in Abuja in January 2026.

He expressed concern that despite the court’s decision, the company had allegedly come under renewed pressure from another arm of the Nigerian government.

Clark further alleged that armed personnel invaded sections of River Park Estate, including the Gallery Clubhouse, destroying company assets, while accusing some individuals of attempting to alter the company’s shareholding structure unlawfully.

He also claimed that reported cases of assault, intimidation and destruction of property at the estate had yet to receive adequate attention from relevant authorities.

Drawing comparisons with Ghana, Clark said Nigerian-owned banks and businesses continue to operate freely in the country without interference and are allowed to repatriate their profits.

He cited Ghana’s handling of the 2020 demolition of a building on the premises of the Nigerian High Commission in Accra as evidence of the country’s commitment to protecting foreign investments.

The group urged President Mahama to initiate diplomatic engagement with Nigerian authorities to ensure the safety of Ghanaian investments and preserve the long-standing relationship between both countries.

The allegations made by the group have not been publicly addressed by the Nigerian authorities mentioned at the time of filing this report.