Federal High Court stops Nigeria Police, others from arresting, obstructing Ghanaian investors in River Park Estate case

By Ifeoma Ikem

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, the Nigeria Police and other respondents not to harass, arrest or obstruct some Ghanaian businessmen who filed a suit on violation of fundamental human rights on a dispute at the River Park Estate in Abuja.

The court gave the ruling on Thursday in the legal action, filed under suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1130/2025, which was initiated by directors of JonahCapital Nigeria Limited and their Ghanaian partners under the investment consortium Houses for Africa.

The case involved renowned Ghanaian businessman Sir Samuel Esson Jonah, Kojo Ansah Mensah, Victor Quainoo, and their legal counsel, Abu Arome.

Also named as defendants in the suit are the FCT Commissioner of Police, Ajao Saka Adewale; the Head of the IGP Monitoring Unit, DCP Akin Fakorede; EFCC Zonal Commander Michael Wetkas; EFCC investigator Eunice Vou Dalyop; and one Kabiru Baba.

The plaintiffs are demanding N200 million in exemplary damages, citing repeated instances of harassment, arbitrary arrests, and the abuse of state power by top law enforcement officials.

According to the claimants, these actions are connected to a contested ownership claim over portions of River Park Estate — an upscale residential development in Abuja.

The court gave “AN ORDER OF INTERIM INJUNCTION restraining the Defendants whether by themselves or by their servants, officers, agents or privies or otherwise howsoever called from further inviting, intimidating, harassing and arresting or detaining the Plaintiffs, their privies, agents and officers, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice already filed before this Honourable Court.

“AN ORDER OF INTERIM INJUNCTION restraining the Defendants whether by themselves or by their servants, officers, agents or privies or otherwise howsoever called from interfering with, obstructing, restricting the plaintiffs, their staff and employees, customers or agents from access, use, quiet and peaceful enjoyment of the Applicant’s property to wit – Plot No 4, Cadastral Zone E30, Lugbe West otherwise known as River Park Estate, Lugbe, Abuja, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice already filed before this Honourable Court.”

At the heart of the dispute is an earlier investigation launched by the Inspector-General of Police through a Special Investigation Panel (SIP) led by DCP Usman Ahmed Imam, following multiple petitions.

The panel reportedly completed its investigation and submitted its findings to the IGP, who then directed the CP (Legal) to review the report for any criminal elements. However, according to court documents, the police have refused to make the report public or act on its recommendations.

Instead, the plaintiffs allege that the Head of the IGP Monitoring Unit, DCP Akin Fakorede—previously associated with the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS)—launched a new investigation, which they believe was intended to override or suppress the findings of the SIP.

The Ghanaian investors claim they have since faced continuous intimidation, including repeated police invitations under duress, surveillance, and in some cases, physical manhandling.

According to the plaintiffs, the actions of Nigerian law enforcement officials have escalated what began as a civil property dispute into an international diplomatic crisis. Ghanaian media outlets have been reporting on the matter, criticizing the treatment of Ghanaian citizens and calling for accountability from Nigerian authorities.
The investors further alleged that the EFCC detained one of them for an extended period under unclear circumstances, despite the case being fundamentally civil in nature.
They argue that the continued harassment violates their fundamental rights and undermines due process.

As part of their reliefs, the plaintiffs are seeking a court order restraining the Nigeria Police Force and the EFCC from further inviting, arresting, harassing, or detaining them over the dispute. They insist that the matter should be addressed through lawful, civil proceedings rather than coercion or abuse of power.

In addition, the investors have petitioned the Police Service Commission to investigate the conduct of senior officers involved, accusing them of professional misconduct and misuse of law enforcement apparatus for private interest.

Beyond the legal drama, the case is igniting broader concerns over Nigeria’s rule of law, the integrity of its law enforcement institutions, and the safety of foreign investments.

The controversy comes at a time when Nigeria is aggressively courting foreign direct investment (FDI), with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration claiming to have secured over $30 billion in international commitments in sectors such as energy, infrastructure, and technology within its first 16 months.

However, critics warn that high-profile incidents like the River Park dispute may undermine investor confidence if not handled transparently and justly.