The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has formally overturned the controversial investigation conducted by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) Monitoring Unit led by CP Akin Fakorede on some Ghanaian businessmen in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The AGF decision was conveyed in an official circular issued by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF) to the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, obtained by SaharaReporters on Thursday, following a comprehensive review of all investigation files submitted by the police.
In the circular referenced DPPA/REQ/224/25 and dated December 30, 2025, the AGF unequivocally ruled that there was no basis for criminal prosecution against the Ghanaian investors: Sir Samuel Esson Jonah, Mr. Kojo Ansah Mensah, Mr. Victor Quainoo and Mr. Abu Arome, Esq.
According to the DPP: “No prima facie case of forgery and other related offences as contained in Charge No: CR/402/25 has been established against the aforementioned individuals.”
As a result, the 26-count charge of fraud and forgery earlier announced by the police has been discontinued in its entirety.
The AGF further affirmed the findings of the 13-man Special Investigation Panel (SIP) led by DCP Imam, which had earlier investigated petitions concerning Jonah Capital Nigeria Limited, and the Houses for Africa Nigeria Limited.
The AGF circular, obtained by SaharaReporters, partly read, “The investigation and findings by the Special Investigation Panel on Petitions relating to Houses for Africa Nigeria Limited, Jonah Capital Nigeria Limited…dated 28th March 2025 is valid, comprehensive, unbiased, and is thus affirmed.”
Also, the AGF described the Monitoring Unit investigation led by CP Fakorede as misleading and legally defective, noting that it wrongly criminalised what is essentially a commercial and contractual dispute.
“The investigation and findings by the IGP Monitoring Unit were highly misleading, disregarding the burden and standard of proof necessary to establish criminal liability, and inappropriately attempted to characterise a commercial disagreement… as a criminal matter, contrary to Section 8(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.”
Recall that on June 26 and 27 2025, CP Fakorede and the then Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, held a widely publicised press conference where Sir Sam Jonah and his team were accused of fraud.
The AGF has now ruled that the action was unlawful and prejudicial, stating: “The utterances and actions of the IGP Monitoring Unit and the Force Public Relations Officer… where Paul Odili, Dr. Adeniran Ogunmuyiwa and others were declared as the ‘owners’ and ‘managers’ of River Park Estate without judicial determination are inappropriate and in excess of the lawful authority of the Police.”
The circular emphasised that: “The Nigerian police do not possess jurisdiction to independently determine land ownership or adjudicate contractual disputes.”
Following the press conference, the accused parties alleged that the Monitoring Unit had suppressed the SIP report and replaced it with a unilateral investigation.
In a petition dated May 22, 2025, Sir Sam Jonah had informed the AGF that although the SIP report had been disclosed to parties on April 9 by the Office of the IGP but they were later informed that CP Fakorede had jettisoned the SIP report and commenced a fresh investigation.
Amid escalating tensions, encroachments, and violent incidents within River Park Estate, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) had constituted an investigative committee led by Salman Dako, General Counsel of the FCTA.
In another controversial development, the investors alleged that on 8 December 2025, the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) disregarded court processes and AGF notices by altering the shareholding structure of JonahCapital Nigeria Limited and Houses for Africa Nigeria Limited.
The shares were reportedly reassigned to some parties despite the matter being sub judice.
The issue had further escalated when Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, formally petitioned the ECOWAS Conference of Foreign Ministers, citing harassment and intimidation of Ghanaian investments in Nigeria, particularly Sam Jonah’s interests.
Following his review, the AGF has now directed the Registrar-General of the CAC, Hussaini Ishaq Magaji, to restore the ownership and shareholding of the affected companies to the status quo ante—that is, their position before the December 8 alterations.
The AGF also drew attention to unresolved allegations of violence within the estate:
“It has been observed that allegations of destruction of property, criminal intimidation, and assault… allegedly by thugs acting pursuant to the directives of Paul Odili remain uninvestigated.”
