The chief executive officer of WINHOMES Global Services Limited, Engr Stella Okengwu, has called for a presidential inquiry over the demolition of his N250 million investment.
Okengwu publicly challenged Nigeria’s Minister of Works, David Umahi, over what she describes as “false, defamatory and reckless” allegations against her company amid the ongoing Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway crisis.
In a widely circulated video rapidly gaining traction across social media platforms, Okengwu refuted Umahi’s claims that WINHOMES owned undeveloped “bare land” and was not tax-compliant.
“These are outright lies. We have invested over N250 million in that estate and pay our taxes in full. What the minister is doing is not just illegal — it is criminal,” stated Okengwu.
While affirming her support for the coastal highway project and its potential to enhance commerce and tourism, Okengwu accused the minister of abusing state power to demolish her company’s legally acquired property unjustly, despite multiple layers of documentation proving the land was outside the right-of-way.
“We are not against development. However, development without the rule of law is tyranny. Armed men, bulldozers, and officials from the federal ministry descended on our estate and obliterated it, all while we had approvals and survey confirmations in hand,” she said.
In a startling revelation, the WINHOMES CEO alleged that ministry officials demanded a $150,000 bribe to alter the road’s alignment, which had been illegally diverted inland — allegedly to benefit politically connected landowners.
“They cleared the debris swiftly — to erase evidence. This wasn’t merely demolition. It was a coordinated cover-up,” she asserted.
The estate in Okun Ajah between Chainage 16 and 18 has become a focal point in the increasingly contentious realignment of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, which has drawn criticism from legal experts, diaspora stakeholders, and human rights organisations.
Okengwu also expressed her outrage over the kidnapping of a young boy named Obanla within the demolished estate premises, lamenting what she termed “total silence from law enforcement and government authorities.”
“This is no longer a civil matter. It is a national disgrace — an abuse of office, an assault on foreign investors, and a threat to Nigeria’s global credibility,” she stated.
In a direct appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Okengwu warned that failure to act decisively could tarnish the administration’s legacy.
“If this government fails because of David Umahi’s recklessness, the blame will not rest solely with him. Mr President, the world will hold you accountable. This will stain your legacy if you do not take action.”
She concluded by demanding:
– A full-scale, independent investigation into the Ministry of Works’ actions,
– Immediate compensation for victims of the demolition, particularly diaspora investors, and
– Urgent reforms to protect land rights and restore investor confidence.
“This is not just about our land. It’s about justice. It’s about whether Nigerians abroad can ever come home and invest without being undermined by the very government they trusted,” she said.
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