River Park Estate Crisis: Document Reveals How Nigerian Developer Resigned  In 2017 

As the River Park Estate crisis in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, nears its resolution, a document showing the resignation of one of the contesting parties way back in 2017 has been obtained by Journalists. 

The River Park Estate crisis has been subject of a review by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi and a FCT Ministerial Review Committee, which has paid multiple visits to the location. 

The document dated July 1, 2017, and addressed to Mr Kojo Ansah, the Chief Executive Officer, Jonah Capital Nigeria Limited & Houses for Africa Nigeria Limited River Park Abuja, was written by Mr Adrian Ogun. 

It was Ogun’s resignation letter from the Board of Jonah Capital Nigeria Limited (JCNL) and Houses for Africa Nigeria Limited (HFAN). 

In a statement on Sunday, Dr Adrian Ogunmuyiwa, had stated that he was the founder of JonahCapital Nigeria Limited, the company behind the development of River Park Estate, Abuja, and not Ghanaian investors as recently claimed. 

He had countered comments by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, suggesting that the estate belonged to Ghanaian businessman, Sam Jonah of JonahCapital.

Meanwhile in the 2017 memo obtained on Tuesday, Adrian Ogun said he had handed off the company.  

He wrote, “Dear Kojo, It is with much regret that I feel obliged to write this letter revoking and cancelling as ‘void the Agreement to reduce the debt claims of Common Consultants Ltd against Jonah Capital reached at a River Park Board Mecting, held on 20th October 2016. The aforementioned Board was chaired by Mr Paul Odili of Paulo Homes, attended by you, representing Jonah Capital and myself representing Common Consultants (with Yinka Kehinde as minute taker). 

“Prior to the River Park Board meeting claims by CCL against Jonah Capital for both River Park and Kaba land cxpenses amounted to NGN61,142,133 as at 30th September, 2016. During the Board meeting I agreed to an abated payment on condition that: 1) the whole outstanding debt owed to CCL was paid by 31st December 2016 and 2) 52 million naira in Development Control fees and 10 million naira in late payment penalties were paid by Jonah Capital Nigeria directly to the FCT in respect of Kaba land. 

“Today, nine months after the Board meeting, legal rights on the 23 hectares of land at Kaba are in jeopardy owing to Jonah Capital failing to pay the outstanding FCT fees. 

“My prayers are that: 1) Jonah Capital Nigeria Ltd pay the outstanding FCT Development Control bill as at 30th June, 2017 immediately, in order to protect and retain ownership of the 23 hectares of land at Kaba.

“2) Jonah Capital Nigeria Ltd respectfully settle immediately the debt owed to Common Consultants Ltd as at 31 May, 2017 amounting to NGN102,840,493 in cash or land.

“3) You please accept my immediate resignation from the Board of Jonah Capital Nigeria Limited (JCNL) and Houses for Africa Nigeria Limited (HFAN). Since, “CCL does not have any dealings with JCNL and HFAN” since handover by John Townley Johnson of Houses for African Holdings to JCNL in 2012 (please find attached pre-signed CO2 and CO7 forms for implementation within 28days). Please can you kindly arrange for Sir Sam Jonah and other directors to sign the CO2 and CO7 forms as soon as possible. Yours sincerely, Adrian Ogun.” 

The developer, Adrian Ogun, also copied Mr Paul Odili of Paulo Homes Limited his letter. 

Ogunmuyiwa had alleged that the ongoing ownership tussle over River Park Estate stemmed from disputes with foreign partners over shareholding adjustments made in 2024, which he claims were unfavourable to Nigerian investors.

He had appealed to Nigerians to remain attentive to the legal process, noting that the matter is currently before the courts for determination.