Nigeria AG drops case against Sam Jonah, three others

Nigeria’s Attorney General of the Federation has ordered the termination of criminal proceedings against Ghanaian businessman Sir Sam Jonah and three others after investigators failed to establish a prima facie case.

The directive followed a comprehensive review of police case files and related investigations into allegations connected to Jonah Capital Nigeria Limited, Houses for Africa Nigeria Limited and the River Park Estate in Abuja.

The decision was conveyed through official correspondence from the Office of the Attorney General, signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, M.B. Abubakar.

According to the Attorney General, allegations of forgery, fraud and other related offences levelled against Mr Samuel Esson Jonah, Mr Kojo Ansah Mensah, Mr Victor Quainoo and Mr Abu Arome could not be sustained.

“No prima facie case of forgery and other related offences… has been established against the aforementioned individuals,” the AGF stated in reference to Charge No. CR/402/25.

The Attorney General further endorsed the findings of a Special Investigation Panel that examined petitions involving Jonah Capital Nigeria Limited, Houses for Africa Nigeria Limited and the River Park Estate in Lugbe.

The March 28, 2025 report was described as “valid, comprehensive and unbiased,” reinforcing the decision to discontinue the prosecution.

In sharp contrast, the AGF criticised the conclusions reached by the IGP Monitoring Unit, labelling them “highly misleading.”

The office faulted efforts to frame what it described as a commercial dispute as a criminal case, noting that such an approach runs counter to the provisions of Nigeria’s Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.

Concerns were also raised about a police press conference held on June 27, 2025, where certain individuals were publicly presented as owners and managers of the River Park Estate without any judicial determination.

The Attorney General said those declarations were inappropriate and exceeded the lawful mandate of the police.

Beyond discontinuing the criminal case, the AGF instructed Nigeria’s Corporate Affairs Commission to immediately reverse any administrative actions taken against the affected companies based on the disputed police investigation report.

The commission was also cautioned against actions that could interfere with ongoing court proceedings.

The dispute had drawn diplomatic attention after Sir Sam Jonah petitioned Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, on December 13, 2025, seeking intervention over what he described as the unlawful seizure of his investments at the River Park Estate by the CAC.

In a further directive, the Attorney General called for fresh investigations into reported cases of criminal intimidation, assault and destruction of property at the estate, allegedly involving individuals acting on the instructions of one Paul Odili.

The Nigeria Police Force was also tasked to ensure the safety of residents and guarantee the peaceful enjoyment of property within the estate.