Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has refuted claims that he allocated 501 hectares of land in Abuja to Ghanaian businessman Sam Jonah for the development of River Park Estate.

 

Obasanjo’s denial was contained in a letter dated July 10, 2025, addressed to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), in response to an earlier inquiry dated July 4. The IGP had asked Obasanjo to verify Jonah’s claim that the former president granted him the land for the housing project.

 

Sam Jonah made the allegation in a petition to the police amid an ongoing ownership dispute over River Park Estate, one of Abuja’s largest residential developments.

 

However, Obasanjo described Jonah’s claim as “absolutely untrue, fictitious, misleading, and libelous.” He stated that he never allocated land—whether 501 hectares or even a single plot—to Jonah or his company. The police confirmed that Obasanjo’s July 10 letter aligns with an earlier statement he issued on July 1, where he said Jonah must be mistaken.

 

Following investigations, the police uncovered alleged forgery involving Jonah, two other Ghanaians—Kojo Ansah and Victor Quainoo—and Abuja-based lawyer Abu Arome. They, along with Mobus Property Nigeria Ltd, are set to be arraigned before Justice Modupe-Osho Adebiyi of the FCT High Court.

 

According to police reports dated November 29, 2024, and June 27, 2025, the accused allegedly forged company documents to take over Houses for Africa Nigeria Ltd, Jonahcapital Nigeria Ltd, and assume control of River Park Estate.

 

The police have filed a 126-count charge, accusing the defendants of forgery, impersonation, and fraud, including falsifying share capital records, allocating 99 million shares to themselves, and presenting forged Nigerian identities to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

 

The charges were filed by Isa Garba of the Force Headquarters Legal Department and are marked CR/402/2025. Key evidence includes final investigation reports, defendants’ statements, and a purported share relinquishment letter signed by John Townley Johnson.

 

The case is expected to reveal more about the alleged fraudulent attempts to seize control of one of Abuja’s most prominent estates.