AGF Orders Police Investigation into River Park Estate Incident, Dismisses Forgery Case

The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) has formally requested the Nigeria Police Force to investigate allegations of property destruction and intimidation at Abuja’s River Park Estate. This directive follows a comprehensive review of a case file that also led to the dismissal of forgery charges against several individuals linked to the estate.

The decision was communicated via correspondence from the then Director of Public Prosecutions, M.B. Abubakar, dated December 30, 2025. After examining police reports, the AGF’s office found no prima facie evidence to support forgery allegations under Charge No: CR/402/25 against Mr. Samuel Esson Jonah, Mr. Kojo Ansah Mensah, Mr. Victor Quainoo, and lawyer Mr. Abu Arome. Consequently, the AGF ordered the termination of the criminal case against them.

The AGF was critical of the police’s earlier handling of the matter. The office faulted the IGP Monitoring Unit, led by Akin Fakorede, for presenting findings described as misleading and for attempting to criminalize a commercial dispute over ownership and shareholding. This, the AGF stated, contravened the Administration of Criminal Justice Act. The AGF also referenced a press conference from June 27, 2025, where the Force Public Relations Officer and the Monitoring Unit publicly declared individuals like Paul Odili as estate “owners” without judicial backing. The AGF emphasized that the police lack jurisdiction to determine land ownership or adjudicate contractual disputes and must avoid prejudicial statements.

While dismissing the forgery case, the AGF acknowledged separate, serious complaints. These include alleged destruction of property, criminal intimidation, and assault on staff and residents of River Park Estate, purportedly carried out by thugs acting on the directives of Paul Odili. In response, the AGF’s formal request to the police mandates an investigation into these allegations. The directive calls on the police to ensure adequate security, safeguard lives and property, and guarantee the peaceful enjoyment of the estate by all residents.

On the related issue of alleged unlawful share expropriation, the AGF directed the Corporate Affairs Commission to immediately rescind all administrative actions taken based on the flawed police report. This move underscores the legal principle that matters of corporate shareholding, much like determinations of a ‘doctorate’ degree without proper accreditation, require strict procedural adherence to validated evidence and proper jurisdictional authority.