By John Alechenu, Abuja
Property owners affected by demolitions within the WINHOMES Estate, situated at the Lagos terminus of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway, have formally appealed to President Bola Tinubu, condemning what they describe as the “irresponsible and harmful actions” of the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi.
In a letter addressed to the President, Engr. Stella Okengwu, the company’s CEO and a Nigerian-American investor, expressed deep concern that the minister’s statements and behavior regarding the estate’s demolition could deter genuine investors from engaging with Nigeria’s real estate sector.
Okengwu highlighted that the minister has repeatedly invoked the President’s name in a dispute currently under judicial review, a move she labeled as “inappropriate, risky, and damaging to the dignity of the Presidency both domestically and internationally.”
She emphasized, “This issue is sub judice. By associating your name with his actions, the minister exposes the presidency to potential legal and diplomatic challenges,” underscoring the supremacy of Section 1(3) of the 1999 Constitution over all public officials.
The CEO elaborated that the WINHOMES project, initiated in 2021, was envisioned as a tourism-driven development aimed at encouraging Nigerians in the diaspora to reinvest in their homeland.
She noted that hundreds of investors, predominantly residing abroad, have committed funds to the project, which spans 20 hectares of legitimately acquired land in Lagos. The estate holds three valid land titles and comprises 2,500 fully serviced plots, each valued at ₦150 million.
Okengwu revealed that the entire development is valued at ₦375 billion (approximately $250 million), marking it as one of the largest diaspora-backed real estate ventures in Nigeria.
However, she lamented that the rerouting of the coastal highway has already impacted 400 plots worth ₦60 billion, with total damages and infrastructure losses estimated at ₦85 billion.
“This represents genuine diaspora capital and tangible infrastructure now jeopardized by excessive ministerial intervention,” she asserted.
Addressing allegations of illicit funding, Okengwu firmly denied any wrongdoing, affirming that WINHOMES Global Services Ltd. is fully certified by the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering (SCUML) and complies with all Central Bank of Nigeria and anti-money laundering regulations.
She clarified, “All investments were channeled through legitimate platforms such as Sendwave, MoneyGram, Western Union, and TapTap. Any claims branding these funds as illegal are defamatory and will be legally challenged.”
Regarding the ongoing litigation, she accused Minister Umahi of falsely claiming that the Federal Government had secured a favorable judgment. She confirmed that the case-Suit No: FHC/L/CS/10063/25-is still pending before Justice Akintayo Aluko at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi.
Invoking the 1986 Supreme Court decision in Governor of Lagos v. Ojukwu, she stressed that no party, including the government, is entitled to bypass the legal process during active litigation. “The minister’s site visit and public assertion of land possession are acts of contempt and unconstitutional,” she maintained.
Okengwu also voiced alarm over reports that private developers have approached the minister to acquire portions of the estate, warning that such maneuvers would constitute unlawful interference with private property rights and severely damage Nigeria’s reputation among foreign investors.
“The international community is observing closely. Every reckless comment from the minister undermines Nigeria’s investment appeal and heightens perceived risks,” she warned.
She urged President Tinubu to intervene by reining in the minister’s conduct, upholding judicial independence, and establishing an impartial valuation committee to quantify diaspora investors’ losses.
“This is your opportunity to demonstrate that ‘Renewed Hope’ is more than a slogan-it is a commitment to justice,” she appealed. “We must either safeguard the Constitution and Nigeria’s investment future or permit unchecked ministerial actions to erode decades of trust.”
The petition concluded with a call for constructive dialogue between the Tinubu administration and WINHOMES through legal channels, emphasizing that “the resolution of this dispute will significantly influence Nigeria’s investment climate.”