By Ibrahim Bakare The controversy surrounding the multi-billion-naira River Park Estate in Abuja has again stirred national attention follo...
By Ibrahim Bakare
The controversy surrounding the multi-billion-naira River Park Estate in Abuja has again stirred national attention following a misleading report published by Sahara Reporters.
The online news outlet, in its publication, sought to discredit the concluded investigation of the Nigerian Police Force into allegations of impersonation, forgery, and illegal conversion of shares linked to some Ghanaian real estate investors operating in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Legal and security experts, however, have dismissed the Sahara Reporters publication as spurious, unfounded, and inconsistent with the provisions of the Nigerian Police Act.
According to a constitutional lawyer who spoke under conditions of anonymity, “The Nigerian Police Force, particularly the IGP Monitoring Unit, has the constitutional mandate to investigate, arrest, and prosecute any individual or group involved in criminal breaches of peace, forgery, impersonation, and fraudulent land dealings. This authority cannot be undermined by sensational reports lacking credibility.”
Misrepresentation of IGP’s Role
The Sahara Reporters report had alleged that the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. Kayode Egbetokun, ordered a reinvestigation of the case after it had supposedly been concluded. However, investigations revealed otherwise.
Nearly one year after the conclusion of the initial probe, the IGP, in the spirit of fair hearing and justice, directed the IGP Monitoring Team, led by Commissioner of Police (CP) Akin Victor Fakorede—a foreign-trained forensic investigator and Barrister-at-Law to re-examine certain claims advanced by the accused persons, including Sir Samuel Jonah and his associates.
It was during this process that the accused attempted to invoke the name of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, claiming that he had personally allocated 501 hectares of FCT land to them. CP Fakorede and his team, exercising due diligence, visited the former President’s Ota residence in Ogun State to verify the claim. The outcome was damning—Chief Olusegun Obasanjo outrightly denied the allegations and publicly branded Samuel Jonah “a liar.”
Forensic Evidence and Pending Trial
On November 29, 2024, the IGP Monitoring Unit, in collaboration with Keyforensics Ltd and the Nigerian Police forensic department, concluded an extensive forensic review of documents relating to the case. Their findings reaffirmed that prima facie evidence of forgery, impersonation, and wrongful conversion of over 8 million shares belonging to Nigerian investor, Dr. Adeniran Ogunmuyiwa, had been established.
These findings were incorporated into the First Information Report (FIR) filed on July 26, 2025, at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Abuja Judicial Division, where the accused persons are now standing trial.
Forged Documents and Boardroom Manipulation
Evidence before the court shows that the Ghanaian investors, through forged Board Resolutions, illegally removed Nigerian Directors from Jonah Capital Nigeria Ltd and Houses for Africa Nig. Ltd. They further used these falsified resolutions to increase share capital and transfer ownership of title documents, with support allegedly facilitated through Mobus Property Nigeria Ltd. All these actions were carried out without the consent of legitimate stakeholders, thereby raising criminal liability.
Debunking Sahara Reporters’ Claims
The constitutional lawyer emphasized that Sahara Reporters deliberately misled the public by alleging that CP Fakorede sought to undermine the Ministerial Committee recently inaugurated by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. “This is untrue. Even though there exists Ministerial Committee sitting on the River Park Estate matter, the report of the Police forwarded to FCDA predates the constitution of the committee. All relevant exhibits have already been gathered, filed, and are before a court of competent jurisdiction,” the lawyer said.
Furthermore, Sahara Reporters failed to report the official correspondences issued by the IGP Monitoring Unit on August 7, 2025 (Ref: IGP Monitoring Unit/Abj/Vol.79/25), directing all official dealings regarding River Park Estate Abuja to Paulo Homes Nigeria Ltd, a company owned by Mr. Odili. The letter, duly copied to the Director of Land Administration, Abuja Geospatial Information Service (AGIS), Director of Development Control, and Paulo Homes itself, was described as a legitimate administrative procedure aimed at preventing a management vacuum.
National Security and Investors’ Confidence
According to security experts speaking on condition of anonymity, if such fraudulent infractions are left unchecked, they pose serious risks to national security and investor confidence in Nigeria’s real estate and capital markets. “The Police must not only investigate but also ensure that the evidence is transmitted to relevant government agencies to safeguard the stability of the state,” he warned.
Conclusion
Contrary to the speculative and sensational narrative of Sahara Reporters, the Nigerian Police Force has acted within its constitutional mandate to investigate the River Park Estate scandal. With forensic evidence already presented and the case now before the FCT High Court, the legal process is expected to determine the culpability of those accused of land fraud, forgery, and impersonation.
What remains clear is that the attempt to smear law enforcement officers and distort facts in favor of accused persons cannot stand the test of judicial scrutiny. As the matter progresses in court, the public awaits justice in one of Abuja’s most contentious real estate disputes.
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