News

Court Bars IGP, EFCC From Interfering In River Park Estate Dispute

ByTitilope Adako

PublishedJune 21, 2025

The Federal High Court in Abuja has barred the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from taking any action related to the ongoing dispute over River Park Estate.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu gave the ruling on Friday, also restraining other respondents, including FCT Commissioner of Police, Ajao Saka Adewale, from any move that could pre-empt the court. The judge adjourned the case till June 26 for hearing.

The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1130/2025, was filed by the estate developers—JonahCapital Ltd and Houses for Africa Ltd., along with Samuel Esson Jonah, Kojo Ansah Mensah, Victor Quainoo, and their lawyer, Abu Arome.

They filed a fundamental rights suit seeking an interim order to restrain the police, EFCC, and other parties from further interference pending the determination of the case.

The dispute stems from multiple petitions on ownership and alleged trespass on the estate, prompting the IGP to set up a Special Investigation Panel (SIP) to probe the matter.

The panel reportedly concluded its work and submitted the findings, which the IGP directed the Legal Unit to review.

Despite this, the investors told the court that a fresh petition was submitted on April 10 by Paulo Homes Ltd, making similar allegations already investigated by the SIP.

They said their repeated requests to access the SIP report, including letters sent in March and April, were ignored.

Instead, DCP Akin Fakorede, head of the IGP’s Monitoring Unit, allegedly initiated another investigation, which the developers say is an attempt to alter the original report.

The Ghanaian investors claimed they were being subjected to harassment, noting that EFCC officials arrested and interrogated Mr Kojo Ansah Mensah, CEO of JonahCapital and Houses for Africa Nigeria, for days.

They further petitioned the Police Service Commission, led by Hashimu Argungu, and also sought the intervention of the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN.

The plaintiffs are asking the court to grant a perpetual injunction restraining the police and EFCC from further inviting, arresting, or harassing them in connection to the estate transactions, which were covered under agreements signed between June and July 2012.

They are also demanding N200 million in damages and a court order directing the release of the SIP’s investigation report led by DCP Usman Ahmed Imam of the Force CID.

Titilope Adako

Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.