The Chief Executive Officer of , , has clarified issues surrounding the widely reported $250 million investment linked to the company’s estate development affected by the project.

Speaking with journalists, Okengwu explained that the $250 million figure represents the estimated Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) attracted into Nigeria’s real estate sector through the estate development.

According to her, much of the investment was mobilised from Nigerians in the diaspora and international partners participating in the project.

Diaspora investment in real estate

Okengwu noted that diaspora-driven real estate investments contribute significant inflows to Nigeria’s economy each year, adding that the WINHOMES estate project forms part of that broader investment stream.

She said the company’s ongoing engagement with government authorities relates to compensation for the section of land affected by the alignment of the coastal road project.

The CEO explained that the amount being discussed is tied specifically to the portion of land impacted by the infrastructure development.

Estate development already underway

Okengwu revealed that extensive groundwork had already been completed on the estate site before the coastal road alignment affected part of the project.

According to her, preparatory works carried out included:

• Land clearing and grading
• Internal road layout planning
• Sand filling and embankment construction
• Drainage preparation

She disclosed that more than 30,000 truckloads of sand were deployed to stabilise the land as part of the estate development.

Heavy construction equipment such as bulldozers and payloaders were also mobilised for the project.

Community engagement and infrastructure

The project also involved several early-stage developments, including:

• Construction of an estate gatehouse
• Community engagement initiatives
• Initial structural work for a proposed multi-storey building

Okengwu explained that the estate operates under a developer-led model, where subscribers purchase plots through the company while it oversees the development process.

Commitment to dialogue

The WINHOMES CEO reaffirmed the company’s commitment to transparency and continued engagement with relevant stakeholders as discussions progress.

She expressed optimism that through constructive dialogue, the project can be adjusted in a way that supports both national infrastructure development and private sector investment.

Okengwu added that the company remains focused on protecting investors’ interests while aligning with Nigeria’s broader development goals.

The post Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway: WINHOMES CEO Clarifies $250m Investment Claim appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The long-running dispute between Winhomes Estate Global Services Ltd and the Federal Government over a stretch of land along the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway came to a definitive end after a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos struck out the company’s suit for lack of jurisdiction.

For months, the battle had grown into a high-stakes confrontation, with the real estate firm insisting that the planned highway threatened plots it claimed to own on the Lagos shoreline.

The company’s CEO, Ifeoma Okengwu, asked the court to stop the Ministry of Works from touching the land and demanded $250 million as damages.

Justice Akintayo Aluko, however, delivered a ruling that shifted the weight of the controversy. The court held that Winhomes had already sold or transferred its interest in the disputed land to third parties, leaving it without the legal capacity to sue.

The judge explained that the claims bordered on trespass and fell under matters governed by the Land Use Act, which do not fall within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court under Section 251 of the Constitution.

The ruling marked a decisive turn in a dispute that had drawn significant public interest. Many observers followed the case closely because the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway represents one of the federal government’s most ambitious infrastructural projects, promising to reshape transport, commerce, and coastal tourism.

The court decision effectively cleared the path for the Ministry of Works to continue work along the approved Right of Way after months of demolition activities, compensation offers, and tense engagements with shoreline communities.

The ministry maintained that the verdict confirms that its actions followed legal procedures and technical guidelines, describing the lawsuit as a distraction from a project expected to benefit millions of Nigerians.

For residents and businesses affected by the construction, the judgment brings clarity—ending a high-profile legal confrontation and reaffirming the federal government’s authority to move forward with one of Nigeria’s biggest infrastructural transformations in decades.

The post Court Ends Winhomes’ Legal Battle Over Coastal Highway Land appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has urged that ongoing legal disputes surrounding the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway project and WinHomes Estate should not be misinterpreted as government hostility toward investors, particularly those from the Nigerian diaspora.

Speaking during a live interview on Arise News on Tuesday, the minister clarified that while litigation involving property demolitions along the highway corridor exists, it does not obstruct the implementation of key national infrastructure initiatives.

“There were and are still cases in court. The first involved 39 property owners whose structures were affected. They were evaluated and compensated, even for informal settlements,” Umahi said. “The president directed us to pay because he wants to alleviate their problems.”

The minister expressed concern that certain media narratives surrounding the disputes could distort public perception and discourage credible foreign investment, especially from Nigerians living abroad.

“When people invoke the diaspora angle in a negative light, it creates unnecessary fear among genuine investors,” Umahi noted. “This government is very friendly with Nigerians in the diaspora, and we will not allow anyone to damage that relationship or the administration’s reputation.”

Umahi also revealed that some diaspora investors who are resident in Nigeria have reached out to seek further clarification on the project’s scope and progress. “They’ve sent letters and want to come to the office. I am more than willing to meet with them and clear any doubts,” he said.

Despite the legal friction, Umahi maintained that the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway remains on schedule and is advancing through multiple phases. “The coastal highway is progressing very well. We are now in session two, and we’ve opened session three and three B, about 65 kilometers in Calabar,” he stated.

The controversy surrounding WinHomes Estate intensified after the company’s diaspora investors raised concerns over demolitions tied to the highway’s alignment. Earlier, Umahi had told reporters that only about four hectares of the estate’s land were impacted by the government’s development plans.

However, the Chief Executive Officer of WinHomes Global Services Ltd., Stella Okengwu, contested the minister’s remarks, insisting that the estate’s total investment exceeds $250 million. She also stressed the importance of upholding legal processes in the dispute.

In response, Umahi questioned the accuracy of the figures being cited. “If truly $250 million was invested, where is the proof? Who paid the money, and through which bank? Nigerians deserve to know,” he said.

The Minister reiterated the administration’s commitment to transparency and to fostering a secure investment climate. He assured stakeholders that the government remains open to dialogue and that legitimate investor concerns will be addressed within the framework of the law.

The post Umahi: Legal Disputes Around WinHomes Must Not Undermine Investor Confidence appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

In a widely circulated video posted on social media, Okengwu alleged that the Federal Ministry of Works unlawfully razed a Winhomes estate valued at over ₦250 million in the Okun-Ajah axis of Lagos. She insisted that her company secured all necessary approvals and paid all taxes in full before construction began.

“We support national infrastructure projects like the coastal highway,” she stated, “but what happened to our estate was not legal. It was an act of aggression backed by government machinery.”

The Winhomes chief further alleged that officials within the ministry demanded a $150,000 bribe in exchange for rerouting the proposed Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway  a request she claims was tied to protecting properties owned by politically connected individuals.

According to her, the demolition was swiftly followed by debris removal, which she described as a “deliberate attempt to conceal evidence.”

Adding a deeply troubling dimension to the controversy, Okengwu claimed that a young boy, identified only as Obanla, was abducted during the chaos of the demolition. She decried what she called the “deafening silence” from both security agencies and government officials on the matter.

“This goes far beyond a property dispute,” she said. “It is an abuse of public office, a betrayal of investor confidence, and a serious threat to Nigeria’s global image.”

In a direct appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Okengwu warned that inaction in the face of what she described as “reckless conduct” by the Minister could have lasting implications for the administration’s credibility.

“If this government is undermined by the actions of one man, the responsibility won’t end with him,” she declared. “Mr. President, the world is watching and your legacy is on the line.”

The confrontation comes amid mounting controversy over the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, a massive infrastructure project expected to span over 700 kilometers and take eight years to complete. While the initiative has been lauded in some quarters, it has also drawn criticism from legal experts, diaspora organizations, and human rights advocates, who have raised concerns over land rights, environmental impacts, and alleged lack of transparency.

During a recent ceremony marking the opening of the Lekki-Epe Deep Seaport road, Minister Umahi challenged Winhomes to produce verifiable evidence of its claimed investment in the demolished estate.

The unfolding dispute highlights broader tensions between public infrastructure expansion and private property rights, placing renewed scrutiny on how projects of national significance are implemented and regulated.

The post Winhomes CEO Challenges Works Minister Umahi Over Alleged Unlawful Demolition, Corruption Claims appeared first on Housing TV Africa.