The long-running ownership dispute over the sprawling River Park Estate in Abuja may finally be over.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has officially affirmed that the original owners of the estate are Ghanaian investors, JonahCapital, ending a prolonged feud that has created anxiety for homeowners.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Political Platform, Minister Wike traced the origin of the dispute, stating that the FCT’s only valid agreement for the development of the estate was with JonahCapital Nigeria Ltd, which is promoted by Sir. Samuel Esson Jonah.

He said the agreement was signed during the tenure of President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Wike disclosed that a ministerial panel he set up to investigate the issue found no official business relationship between the FCT and Paulo Homes, the third party that JonahCapital had brought in to assist with building approvals.

While acknowledging that JonahCapital had breached its agreement with the FCT by involving Paulo Homes, Wike stated that the FCT decided to take action to protect the Nigerian homeowners.

He announced that the FCT would demolish properties hurriedly developed by Paulo Homes and withdraw all Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) issued to the company.

The FCT will then issue the C of Os directly to the property owners to safeguard their investments.

Wike also condemned the actions of the Head of the IGP Monitoring Unit, Akin Fakorede, who he said had held a press conference to confer ownership of the estate on Paulo Homes and file criminal charges against JonahCapital.

Wike vowed not to let people “do things the wrong way and get away with it.”