Ghanaians Rally at Nigerian Embassy to Address Claims of Harassment
Echoes of Concern: A Unified Stand Against Intimidation
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“Our businesses are being hounded at every turn,” shared Kojo Mensah, a lead developer behind the ambitious River Park Estate project in Abuja. It’s not just his voice echoing a sentiment felt by many; it’s a call for justice that resonates deeply amidst the chaos. Investors allege that their fundamental rights are being infringed upon, claiming a pattern of arbitrary arrests, repeated summons, and intimidation not only by the police but also by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
“We’ve been arrested without cause, summoned to answer questions that lead nowhere, and faced endless cycles of interrogation,” Mensah recounted, frustration evident in his voice. It’s a valid inquiry: how can the system that should ensure justice instead perpetuate cycles of distress? The chilling fact remains that many of the grievances they attempted to address dating back to 2012 are unfortunately gathering dust, buried in forgotten files.
A Call for Intervention
Recently, a passionate demonstration unfolded, the air thick with resolve. Protesters waved banners proclaiming, “Hands Off Ghanaian Investors!” and “Tinubu, Mahama: Intervene Now!” The fervor of the crowd was unmistakable, as they rallied for the dismissal of Inspector General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun. The accusations against him were serious: orchestrating targeted harassment against Ghanaian enterprises operating on Nigerian soil.
“We demand that President Bola Tinubu and President John Mahama utilize every diplomatic channel available to halt this injustice,” cried one protester as the crowd roared in agreement. Their collective plea transcended borders, embodying a hope for resolution and respect in the face of bureaucratic indifference.
Legal Action Initiated
This fervent display of discontent did not arise in a vacuum. It follows the formal filing of a lawsuit by Jonah Capital and its co-plaintiffs in the Federal High Court, naming not only IGP Egbetokun but also the Nigeria Police Force and the EFCC as defendants. These businesses are not merely looking for redress; they seek to reclaim their dignity and protect the very essence of foreign investment in Nigeria.
At the heart of the lawsuit is a request for a perpetual injunction, aimed at halting any further interference by these agencies in the River Park Estate matter. They are also demanding the immediate publication of a long-awaited Special Investigation Panel (SIP) report and amends of N200 million for damages stemming from what they describe as violations of their constitutional rights.
According to the plaintiffs, the aim of this legal action reaches beyond immediate restitution. It is a critical push to safeguard the integrity of legitimate foreign investments in Nigeria—a stand against what they perceive as state-sponsored intimidation tactics targeting those who simply wish to thrive in a foreign land.
In a twist that seems almost absurd, the plaintiffs contend that even after the SIP concluded its investigation and reported its findings to the Inspector General, those very findings remain shrouded in secrecy, unavailable to the rightful investors despite repeated attempts to acquire them. To add insult to injury, a senior officer in the IG’s Monitoring Unit is alleged to have reopened the investigation, seemingly to undermine the SIP’s unequivocal recommendations for exoneration of their companies. How can one not wonder: what motivates such actions within a system meant to uphold justice?
As I reflect on these events, I’m reminded of the idea that true progress is built on trust. A business environment thriving on mutual respect fosters not only economic growth but also emotional connections and shared aspirations. We must ask ourselves: what future do we envision if these injustices continue unchecked? The cries of these investors serve not only as a personal plea—they resonate as a foundational necessity for robust economies and societies built on the principles of fairness.
In this precarious time, as the legal battles unfold and protests echo through the streets, we cannot ignore the wider implications of these confrontations. Will we rise to challenge injustice, or will we let apathy dictate the course of our shared future? The outcomes of these struggles will undoubtedly impact not just the investors in question but the overall climate for business in Nigeria and beyond.