Ghana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Baba Jamal, says the government is taking every diplomatic step necessary to protect its longstanding relationship with Nigeria while seeking justice in the investment dispute involving businessman Sir Sam Jonah.

The diplomatic escalation follows a formal 11-page petition submitted on December 13, 2025, by Sir Sam Jonah to Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa. The businessman accuses the Nigerian CAC of expropriating his shares in Abuja’s River Park Estate, undermining court processes, and breaching regional investment protections.

His petition urges Ghana to intervene at the highest diplomatic levels, citing millions of dollars in Ghanaian-led investments allegedly threatened by the actions of Nigerian authorities.

The dispute reportedly began after Sir Jonah demanded accountability from a local partner, Paul Odili of Paulo Homes Ltd, over alleged land encroachment within the estate — a conflict that has since evolved into a broader legal and diplomatic battle.

Speaking on The Pulse on JoyNews, he confirmed that Ghana is escalating the matter to ECOWAS after years of unresolved tensions surrounding the alleged unlawful seizure of Sir Jonah’s investments by Nigeria’s Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

According to him, the move is aimed at ensuring the case is handled through legally recognised regional mechanisms without harming bilateral ties.

“We are doing everything not to hurt the excellent relationship that we enjoy with Nigeria. That’s why we want to explore all possible means,” he said. He added that Ghana has already begun transmitting official documentation to the ECOWAS Ministerial Council for further action.

Baba Jamal revealed that Ghana is also intervening to halt an attempt by Nigerian authorities to expunge company records linked to the dispute, describing the development as irregular and legally questionable.

“Even in Ghana, we all know that you cannot expunge a whole company’s records without going through the court system. We are wondering why an institution, when served with court processes, will go ahead to do what is not supposed to be done,” he said.

He explained that Ghana’s initial step is to lodge a formal complaint with the ECOWAS Ministerial Council, which has already requested detailed documentation. “I just received all the details which will be sent immediately to the ECOWAS Commission. Then we take it from there,” he said, expressing confidence in a peaceful resolution.