Police reopen investigation into River Park Estate dispute

The Nigeria Police Force has announced that it is reopening investigation into the protracted dispute over River Park Estate, Abuja, few weeks after declaring the case closed.

The decision, which followed fresh directives from the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, comes in the wake of a meeting held on July 2 with stakeholders and senior police officers.

The fresh probe will focus exclusively on allegations of document forgery levelled against Ghanaian businessman, Sir Samuel Jonah, alongside Kojo Ansah Mensah, Victor Quainoo and legal practitioner Abu Arome.

The move effectively supersedes an earlier position conveyed on June 27 by Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Akin Fakorede, who had pronounced businessman Paul Odili as the rightful “owner” of River Park Estate — a claim now formally disavowed by police authorities.

Charges to be reviewed

Sources familiar with the matter disclosed that criminal charges initially filed on June 26 against Sir Jonah and his associates will be withdrawn pending completion of the fresh probe.

“The charges are expected to be formally withdrawn pending completion of the fresh investigations ordered by the IGP,” a senior police officer said.

According to sone police documents sighted by our reporter, the IGP clarified during the July 2 meeting that the police inquiry would be strictly limited to alleged acts of forgery and does not extend to determining ownership of the estate.

“The NPF’s investigation is strictly focused on allegations of forgery – not land matters or ownership… only courts can vest or divest land rights,” Egbetokun was quoted as saying.

This stance aligns with Section 32(2) of the Police Act 2020, which underscores the judiciary’s exclusive power to resolve civil land disputes.

Mounting tensions

Nonetheless, the reversal by police authorities has triggered fresh tensions within the estate.

Following the June 27 briefing, Odili allegedly requested residents to pay ₦250,000 each for processing new Certificates of Occupancy, prompting the Riverpark Estate Residents Association (RERA) to issue a fraud alert cautioning against such payments.

Further reports indicate that access to the estate was temporarily disrupted, with alleged deployment of private security personnel who blocked waste collection services and restricted entry to members of the NNPC Staff Club. The club subsequently petitioned JonahCapital for enhanced security measures.

In addition, several parcels of land designated for community facilities such as schools and hotels were reportedly fenced off by entities said to be linked to Odili, including Aazik Homes and Victory Integrated, who allegedly posed as private buyers.

Legal complexities deepen

The ownership dispute is currently subject to at least 10 active lawsuits — numbered CV/4221/24 to FCT/HC/CV/1789/2025 — underscoring the IGP’s reiterated position that only the courts can ultimately decide questions of title.

Speaking on the status of the investigation, Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO) Olumuyiwa Adejobi said, “While initial charges were filed, no arrests or arraignments occurred pursuant to the IGP’s directive. The investigation remains open-ended.

“Meanwhile, residents say they continue to face practical challenges amid the unresolved legal contest.

RERA has advised homeowners to exercise caution in making any payments that could “compromise legal rights,” while the NNPC Staff Club described the situation as a “denial of essential services” to legitimate occupants.

Community facilities, including planned schools and clinics, reportedly remain blocked by private security operatives, contributing to the disruption of daily life within the estate.

Awaiting judicial clarity

With the police reopening investigations and stepping back from earlier pronouncements on ownership, attention has now shifted to the courts, which remain constitutionally empowered to resolve the dispute.

As litigation, conflicting claims and security concerns continue to cast a shadow over River Park Estate, residents and stakeholders alike await judicial intervention to bring clarity and lasting resolution to the matter.