The Nigerian government on Friday denied reports by a section of the media that it is involved in a diplomatic row with Ghana.

Nigeria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued the clarification while responding to claims that its High Commission had been violated and its occupants evicted by authorities.

The property in question is located in the Ghanaian capital, Accra, on No.10 Barnes Road, according to the ministry.

“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 statement read in part.

“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.”

The ministry assured the public that discussions with Ghanaian authorities on the next course of action are on-going.

Tensions between the two countries simmered last year after Nigeria partially closed its border with Benin and Niger in August in a bid to curb massive smuggling activities, especially of rice, occurring in that area.

The effects of the blockade were felt as far as Ghana as manufacturers complained about the impact on costs. Factories and traders struggled to import key raw materials and were forced to use alternative routes for their exports.

In October, Nigeria sought to reassure Ghana that it wanted to quickly resolve issues affecting the ease of trade between them following the closure.

Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama, who met with Ghanaian officials then, denied that the closure targeted certain countries and was instead aimed at curbing criminal activities.