FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has acknowledged that a legal disagreement regarding the River Park Estate in Lugbe, Abuja, has moved to international arbitration. The dispute involves the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) and the developer, JonahCapital Nigeria Limited.
JonahCapital has taken the matter to the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Paris. The company is contesting the FCDA’s decision to end their Development Lease Agreement, which was officially set to remain in effect until June 2030. According to the developer, the FCDA committed several contractual breaches, including failing to provide essential infrastructure such as water, electricity, and roads, which forced the developer to cover these expenses independently.
Minister Wike confirmed the government’s participation in the arbitration process, stating that they will await the outcome of the proceedings. He maintained that the FCDA’s contract was exclusively with JonahCapital, not any third-party entities, and argued that the agreement had already lapsed, justifying the government’s decision to reclaim the land. The project, which covers 501 hectares, was originally established in 2007 as a mixed-use development for residential, commercial, and public utility purposes.
Tensions remain high as JonahCapital also reports that the FCDA began installing fencing on the property while the arbitration case is still active. This project has faced long-standing challenges, including competing ownership claims from various parties over the last several years.
