Sir Sam Jonah takes Abuja land dispute with Nigeria to ICC arbitration

Ghanaian businessman and mining executive Sir Sam Jonah has commenced international arbitration proceedings against the Nigerian government over a 501-hectare property in Abuja, escalating a long-running dispute over one of his major investments outside Ghana. The case, being heard under the auspices of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Paris, concerns the termination of a development lease covering the property near the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. The investment is held through JonahCapital Nigeria Limited, a subsidiary of Sir Sam Jonah’s investment group.

The financial value of the claim has not been publicly disclosed, although estimates have put the value of the property at about US$500 million based on prevailing property values in Abuja. River Park Estate at centre of dispute At the heart of the dispute is Plot 4 in Cadastral Zone E30, Lugbe West, a 501-hectare parcel allocated to JonahCapital in 2007 under Nigeria’s Mass Housing Scheme. The company subsequently developed the property into River Park Estate, a major residential and mixed-use development featuring homes, commercial facilities, healthcare centres, offices and places of worship.

JonahCapital maintains that its development lease was due to remain in force until June 2030. The Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), however, terminated the lease in November 2025. Infrastructure costs In its case, JonahCapital contends that Nigerian authorities failed to meet several obligations under the agreement.

The company says the FCDA did not provide key infrastructure, including roads, electricity and water, leaving the developer to finance and construct the facilities at significant cost. It has also raised concerns about building approval fees and alleged that sections of the disputed property have been fenced off while the arbitration process is underway. JonahCapital further claims that the development has faced ownership claims from third parties, resulting in years of legal and administrative challenges.

The allegations are yet to be determined by the arbitration tribunal. Wike: ‘Let arbitration take its course’ Nigeria’s Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has confirmed that the matter has been taken to arbitr…