Sam Jonah drags Nigeria to arbitration over Abuja land dispute

Ghanaian businessman and mining executive Sir Sam Jonah has initiated international arbitration proceedings against the Nigerian government concerning a significant land dispute in Abuja. The case involves a 501-hectare property and could have implications for Ghanaian investments across West Africa.

The arbitration, being conducted under the auspices of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Paris, stems from the termination of a development lease for a property near the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. This investment is managed through Jonah Capital Nigeria Limited, a subsidiary of Sir Sam Jonah’s investment group.

The disputed land, Plot 4 in Cadastral Zone E30, Lugbe West, was initially allocated to Jonah Capital in 2007 under Nigeria’s Mass Housing Scheme. The company subsequently transformed the site into River Park Estate, a large private residential development featuring housing, commercial facilities, healthcare centers, offices, and places of worship. Jonah Capital asserts that its development lease remains valid until June 2030.

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The other party has gone to arbitration and we say okay, until you finish from arbitration.

However, the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) terminated the lease in November 2025. Jonah Capital argues this decision was unlawful and contrary to the development agreement. In the arbitration, the company alleges that Nigerian authorities failed to fulfill key obligations, such as providing roads, electricity, and water, forcing Jonah Capital to finance and construct this infrastructure at considerable expense. They also claim breaches related to building approval fees and that authorities have fenced off parts of the property while arbitration is ongoing.

Nigerian authorities, including the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, have confirmed the arbitration is underway. Wike maintains the government lawfully recovered the land after the lease expired. Separately, Nigerian authorities have filed a 26-count criminal charge against Sir Sam Jonah and others, alleging forgery of company documents and unlawful share allocation related to the Abuja development, allegations Sir Sam Jonah denies.

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Mr Wike maintains that the government lawfully recovered the land after the lease expired.