Property owners within the WINHOMES Estate in Lagos have petitioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, expressing deep concerns over the demolition of parts of the estate linked to the ongoing construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
In a letter addressed to the President, the Chief Executive Officer of WINHOMES Global Services Ltd., Engr. Stella Okengwu, a U.S. based Nigerian investor criticized the Federal Ministry of Works for its handling of the demolition, warning that the move could significantly undermine investor confidence, particularly among Nigerians in the Diaspora.
Okengwu, whose firm is leading one of Nigeria’s largest Diaspora-backed real estate developments, emphasized that the matter is currently before the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos (Suit No: FHC/L/CS/10063/25). She cautioned that any public statements or actions by government officials while the case remains pending risk violating the principle of judicial independence.
Referencing recent remarks by the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, she described the public commentary on the matter as prejudicial and inappropriate, stressing that all parties must respect the legal process and refrain from actions that could be seen as contempt of court.
Established in 2021, the WINHOMES Estate project was conceived as a tourism-driven real estate initiative aimed at attracting investment from Nigerians in the Diaspora. The estate spans 20 hectares in Lagos, holds three valid land titles, and comprises approximately 2,500 fully serviced plots, each valued at around ₦150 million. The total estimated value of the project stands at ₦375 billion (approximately $250 million).
Okengwu noted that the recent realignment of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway had affected around 400 plots, valued at over ₦60 billion, with estimated cumulative damages to the estate reaching ₦85 billion.
She also affirmed that WINHOMES Global Services Ltd. remains fully compliant with all regulatory and financial frameworks. The company is certified by the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering (SCUML), and all funds were transparently sourced through legitimate international remittance platforms.
In her appeal to President Tinubu, Okengwu urged the Federal Government to ensure that due process is followed and that legal proceedings are allowed to run their full course without executive interference. She called for an independent valuation of the affected property to determine adequate compensation for investors, many of whom are Nigerians in the Diaspora.
She added that resolving the dispute in a transparent and lawful manner would reaffirm the administration’s commitment to the Renewed Hope agenda and send a strong message to the international investment community that Nigeria remains a secure and reliable destination for long-term investment.
