A Ghanaian civic group, Concerned Citizens for Justice and Economic Freedom, staged a peaceful protest in Accra today and submitted a petition to the Nigerian High Commission, calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently address what they describe as the targeted harassment, assault, and intimidation of Ghanaian-owned businesses and personnel operating in Nigeria.
The petition, which was delivered to the High Commission on Independence Avenue, accuses top Nigerian security officials and state institutions of orchestrating a campaign of intimidation against Jonah Capital Nigeria Ltd and its affiliated companies—Mobus Property Nigeria Ltd and Houses for Africa Nigeria Ltd—all linked to prominent Ghanaian businessman Sir Samuel Esson Jonah.
According to the petitioners, the ongoing persecution involves physical assault, gun threats, and police intimidation against company executives and staff, including Mr. Kojo Ansah, Mr. Victor Quainoo, Engr. James Mensah, and Isaac Akwesi Ampong. They allege that uniformed officers have harassed employees at their project site in River Park Estate, Abuja, destroyed property, and obstructed operations during official visits, including an event involving Ghana’s Foreign Minister in April.
The protest and petition come amid a wider legal and diplomatic row unfolding in Nigeria, where the Ghanaian investors have sued the Inspector General of Police, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and other top officials. The suit, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeks ₦200 million in exemplary damages for alleged violation of human rights, unlawful police harassment, and suppression of an investigative report from a police Special Investigation Panel (SIP).
The petition submitted today outlines specific demands to the Nigerian government, including the immediate release of the SIP report, prosecution of implicated security officials, and assurance of safety and investment protection for Ghanaian enterprises in Nigeria. The group also emphasized the imbalance in treatment between Nigerian businesses operating freely in Ghana and the hostile environment faced by Ghanaians in Nigeria.
“There are hundreds of Nigerian companies thriving in Ghana—banks, fintech firms, real estate companies, and hospitality businesses. They operate without fear or interference. Yet, Ghanaian businesses in Nigeria are being harassed for engaging in lawful economic activities,” the petition states.
The dispute dates back to a failed joint venture in 2013 involving Jonah Capital and Nigerian developer Paulo Homes Ltd, which was tasked with securing building permits in exchange for land shares. Ghanaian executives accuse Paulo Homes of breaching the agreement and later falsely accusing them of forgery. Although a police panel reportedly cleared the Ghanaians of wrongdoing, the investigative report remains unreleased, while security agencies have allegedly reopened probes into the same matter, fueling concerns of abuse of process.
In court documents and public statements, the plaintiffs claim the renewed investigations are being used as a tool of intimidation, involving repeated police summonses and extended interrogations. Their legal counsel, Adedayo Adedeji (SAN), has called for judicial intervention to uphold due process and prevent further harassment.
The Ghanaian High Commission in Abuja has also stepped in, officially requesting a certified copy of the SIP report and expressing concern over the treatment of Ghanaian nationals. Despite assurances, the report remains undisclosed.
Today’s protest marks a new chapter in growing public pressure on the Nigerian government to uphold bilateral commitments under ECOWAS protocols and to ensure a fair and secure environment for foreign investors.
The Concerned Citizens for Justice and Economic Freedom say they await a prompt and transparent response from President Tinubu and the relevant Nigerian authorities.
