In a dramatic U-turn, the Nigeria Police Force has reopened its probe into the bitter River Park Estate saga, barely weeks after it declared the case concluded.
Acting on fresh directives from the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, detectives are set to revisit forgery allegations against Ghanaian businessman Sir Samuel Jonah and three associates, after a stormy meeting with all parties and top brass of the Force.
This stunning reversal effectively trashes the bold claims made by Deputy Commissioner of Police Akin Fakorede during his controversial June 27 briefing, where he pronounced businessman Paul Odili as the “owner” of River Park — a position now officially disowned by the police hierarchy.
River Park Estate: Charges to be withdrawn
Insiders say criminal charges earlier filed on June 26 against Sir Jonah, Kojo Ansah Mensah, Victor Quainoo and lawyer Abu Arome will now be pulled back, at least until fresh investigations run their course.
A senior police source confirmed:“The charges are expected to be formally withdrawn pending completion of the fresh investigations ordered by the IGP.”
Official documents show the IGP made it clear during a July 2 meeting that Police are only looking into alleged document forgery, not deciding who truly owns the multi-billion-naira 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,” the IGP reportedly told attendees.
Yet the Police flip-flop has sparked fresh tension inside the estate. Just days after the June 27 briefing, Odili allegedly pressured residents to cough up ₦250,000 each for new Certificates of Occupancy, prompting the River Park Estate Residents Association, RERA to issue a fraud alert.
Residents also say thugs took over the estate gates, blocking waste trucks and denying access to staff of the NNPC Staff Club, which was forced to write JonahCapital begging for extra security.
In an even more bizarre twist, several parcels of land earmarked for schools, hotels and homes were reportedly fenced off by Odili’s proxies, including Aazik Homes and Victory Integrated posing as buyers.
The row now sits before at least 10 active lawsuits — CV/4221/24 to FCT/HC/CV/1789/2025 — backing the IGP’s stance that only the courts can settle ownership once and for all.
Force PRO Olumuyiwa Adejobi was quoted as saying “While initial charges were filed, no arrests or arraignments occurred pursuant to the IGP’s directive. The investigation remains open-ended.”
Residents, meanwhile, say they are being punished amid the confusion. Documents show RERA warning homeowners against paying “fees that may compromise legal rights,” while the NNPC Staff Club condemned the “denial of essential services.”
Community facilities like planned schools and clinics reportedly remain blocked by private security men.
As violence, litigation and conflicting claims swirl around River Park Estate, all eyes now turn to the new investigation and ultimately, to the courts to decide who truly owns what.
