Sir Sam Jonah takes Abuja land dispute with Nigeria to ICC arbitration

Sir Sam Jonah, a Ghanaian businessman and mining executive, has commenced international arbitration proceedings against the Nigerian government over a 501-hectare property in Abuja. The case is being heard under the auspices of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Paris and concerns the termination of a development lease covering the property near the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. The investment is held through JonahCapital Nigeria Limited, a subsidiary of Sir Sam Jonah's investment group. The financial value of the claim has not been publicly disclosed, although estimates have put the value of the property at about US$500 million based on prevailing property values in Abuja.

At the heart of the dispute is Plot 4 in Cadastral Zone E30, Lugbe West, a 501-hectare parcel allocated to JonahCapital in 2007 under Nigeria's Mass Housing Scheme. The company subsequently developed the property into River Park Estate. JonahCapital maintains that its development lease was due to remain in force until June 2030. The Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), however, terminated the lease in November 2025. JonahCapital has challenged the decision, describing the termination as unlawful and contrary to the terms of the development agreement. In its case, JonahCapital contends that Nigerian authorities failed to meet several obligations under the agreement, stating the FCDA did not provide key infrastructure, including roads, electricity and water.