TheCable

The ministry of foreign affairs says the Nigerian high commission in Accra, Ghana has not been evicted.

In a statement on Friday, Ferdinand Nwonye, spokesperson of the ministry, said there is no “diplomatic row between Nigeria and the Republic of Ghana” as claimed by some reports.

Nwonye said though the lease of the property on No.10 Barnes Road, Accra, Ghana, has expired, the high commission is exploring the possibility of renewing the lease agreement with the host authorities.

“The attention of the ministry of foreign affairs has been drawn to news circulating in the social media that its property on No. 10 Barnes Road, Accra, Ghana has been ‘violated’ by the host authorities and that there is a diplomatic row between Nigeria and the Republic of Ghana. The ministry wishes to state categorically that the news reports are untrue,” he said.

“The ministry wishes to clarify that the said property under reference was in use by the federal ministry of finance, since 1957, on leasehold and was later bequeathed to the ministry of foreign affairs.

“The lease is said to have expired recently and the high commission has been exploring the possibility of renewing the lease agreement with the host authorities. It should be noted that the building is not physically occupied but the mission has some of its properties within the premises.

“It should further be reiterated that the property is not housing either the Residence of the high commissioner or the Chancery or staff quarters. However, talks are still on-going between the mission and appropriate host authorities. There is, therefore, no imminent diplomatic row with Ghana as being speculated by a section of the media. We wish to assure all and sundry that the ministry is on top of the situation.”