By BRIGHT Mensah Bonsu, a Ghanaian government official, has been arrested for the unauthorised sale of state-owned property in Lagos, Nigeria, allegedly to President Bola Tinubu’s nephew.
The scandal is raising questions about transparency and accountability in the management of Ghana’s foreign assets.
Mensah Bonsu
The alleged property
According to reports first published by GhanaCrimes on X on April 15, Bonsu is alleged to have sold a beachfront property belonging to the Government of Ghana to Adewale Tinubu, the nephew of Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for a sum of US$5.3 million.
The post reads: Bright Mensah Bonsu sold a beachfront property in Lagos—owned by the Government of Ghana—to Nigerian President Tinubu’s nephew, Adewale Tinubu, for US$5.3 million.
“Bright Mensah Bonsu has been arrested for selling a government property in Nigeria for US$1.5 million without approval.”
The transaction, which reportedly occurred without proper governmental authorisation, has sparked outrage among civil society actors and calls for a full-scale investigation.
However, Ghanaian authorities confirmed that Bonsu was arrested in connection with a separate transaction involving the same property, which he is said to have illicitly sold for US$1.5 million.
Adewale Tinubu
The discrepancy between the two figures—US$5.3 million and US$1.5 million—has intensified public scrutiny, with many questioning whether additional proceeds from the sale remain unaccounted for.
The property in question forms part of Ghana’s diplomatic assets in Nigeria, historically maintained for consular, residential, or strategic purposes.
Its unauthorised disposal has raised diplomatic concerns between the two West African nations.
Officials from Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration have yet to release a formal statement, but insiders suggest the case is being treated as a serious breach of public trust.
Legal experts warn that the matter could extend beyond criminal prosecution, potentially involving restitution, international asset recovery, and diplomatic engagement with Nigerian counterparts.
Adewale Tinubu, the reported buyer, has not commented on the transaction.
It remains unclear whether he was aware of the alleged illegitimacy of the deal at the time of purchase.
This incident underscores growing concerns about the management of Ghana’s foreign properties, with advocacy groups now urging the government to conduct a comprehensive audit of all international holdings to prevent future abuses.
The case is under active investigation, and further developments are expected in the coming days.
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