The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has directed the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to cancel what he described as “fraudulent corporate filings” involving two Abuja-based companies, Jonah Capital Nigeria Limited and Houses for Africa Nigeria Limited. The directive was issued through a correspondence signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF), M.B. Abubakar, acting on behalf of the AGF.
The decision follows a thorough review of investigation files submitted by the Nigeria Police Force, including reports from the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Monitoring Unit and an earlier Special Investigation Panel (SIP). The AGF concluded there was no basis for prosecuting Sir Samuel Esson Jonah, Mr. Kojo Ansah Mensah, Mr. Victor Quainoo, and Mr. Abu Arome, who had been accused of fraud and forgery in connection with the River Park Estate, Abuja.
“No prima facie case of forgery or any related offence, as contained in Charge No: CR/402/25, has been established against the aforementioned individuals,” the DPPF stated, confirming that the 26-count charge previously announced by police has been discontinued.
The ruling directly overturns earlier findings by the IGP Monitoring Unit, led by CP Akin Fakorede, which had accused the Ghanaian investors of criminal wrongdoing following press briefings in June 2025. The AGF described the Monitoring Unit’s investigation as “highly misleading,” noting it sought to criminalise what is essentially a commercial dispute. The circular emphasized that the Nigeria Police Force lacks jurisdiction to determine land ownership or settle contractual disagreements.
In contrast, the AGF endorsed the findings of the 13-member Special Investigation Panel, led by Deputy Commissioner of Police Imam, describing its March 28, 2025 report as “valid, comprehensive, and unbiased.” The SIP had examined multiple petitions related to Jonah Capital and Houses for Africa, but its findings were reportedly sidelined by the IGP Monitoring Unit.
The AGF also addressed irregularities at the CAC, noting that on December 8, 2025, the commission altered the shareholding structure of the two companies despite ongoing court proceedings and formal notices from the Ministry of Justice. The AGF instructed the CAC to restore the companies’ ownership and shareholding to their previous status.
Furthermore, the AGF directed the Nigeria Police Force to investigate allegations of property destruction, criminal intimidation, and assault reportedly carried out under the directives of Paul Odili, and to ensure peace within River Park Estate so residents can enjoy their properties without harassment.
The dispute has attracted international attention, with Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, petitioning the ECOWAS Conference of Foreign Ministers over the treatment of Ghanaian investments in Nigeria. The FCT Minister has also established a separate investigative committee to address escalating tensions and reported violent incidents within the estate.
Legal analysts suggest the AGF’s intervention may represent a turning point in the protracted River Park Estate controversy, clarifying the boundary between civil commercial disputes and criminal prosecution, while raising questions about the conduct of certain law enforcement and regulatory officials.