•Minister of Works, David Umahi
A major real estate developer, WINHOMES Estate, has petitioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over what it described as the “reckless and unconstitutional” conduct of the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, in an ongoing dispute involving a $250 million Diaspora-funded development in Lagos.
In an open letter, the company accused Umahi of abuse of office and actions capable of eroding foreign investor confidence, warning that his conduct could expose the presidency to “unnecessary domestic and international controversies,” reports The Guardian.
The Chief Executive Officer of WINHOMES, Engr. Stella Okengwu, a United States citizen and prominent Nigerian Diaspora investor, alleged that the minister repeatedly invoked the president’s name while taking physical and public actions on a parcel of land currently under litigation — a move she described as “dangerous, improper, and constitutionally untenable.”
“This matter is sub judice. By tying your name to his actions, he has placed the presidency in the line of legal and diplomatic fire,” Okengwu stated, citing Section 1(3) of the 1999 Constitution, which declares its supremacy over all office holders.
According to Okengwu, the estate’s total project value stands at ₦375 billion (approximately $250 million), making it one of Nigeria’s largest Diaspora-backed real estate ventures.
She claimed that the diversion of the coastal highway through the estate has already affected 400 plots worth ₦60 billion, with infrastructure damages estimated at ₦85 billion.
“This is Diaspora sweat, real capital, and tangible infrastructure — now endangered by ministerial overreach,” she lamented.
The developer further claimed that Umahi misrepresented the legal status of the property, stating that he said judgment had been delivered in favour of the Federal Government in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/10063/25.
She clarified that the case remains pending before Justice Akintayo Aluko of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi. She also cited the 1986 Supreme Court ruling in Governor of Lagos v. Ojukwu, which prohibits any party, including the government, from taking the law into its own hands during ongoing litigation.
Okengwu described Umahi’s physical visit to the disputed site and his public declaration of taking over the land as “contemptuous and unconstitutional.”
She also denied allegations of financial impropriety, stating that WINHOMES Global Services Ltd is fully certified by the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering (SCUML) and compliant with Central Bank and anti–money laundering regulations.
“All funds were transferred through legitimate channels such as Sendwave, MoneyGram, Western Union, and TapTap,” she said.
The company also expressed concern over alleged moves by private developers to acquire portions of the disputed estate through the Minister, describing such attempts as “interference with private property” that could damage Nigeria’s foreign investment reputation.
Umahi Responds
Reacting during an interview on Arise TV on the eve of the 65th independence anniversary, Umahi dismissed the allegations, insisting that he acted strictly within the confines of the law.
He raised several questions concerning the acquisition, development, and financial structure of the WINHOMES estate.
“Now these are the questions: Who are these investors, that’s number one. Two, you bought 12 hectares within a very developed area for ₦20 million in 2022 and if you go there, you see a lot of houses around. So how come — was it properly bought from the natives?” he queried.
Umahi further asked whether the company had registered the transaction with the Lagos State Government and challenged WINHOMES to make its documents public.
He also questioned the mode of payment by investors, whether in naira or foreign currency, and called for publication of the names of the investors and the specific plots allocated to them.
On the physical state of the estate, the minister said there was no evidence of approved buildings or demolitions, except for one structure outside the gatehouse valued at ₦19 million, which was demolished. He also argued that the estate’s claimed allocations exceeded its documented size.
“As at today, from the information available to me, she has allocated more than 300 plots of land. If you multiply it by 675 metres, you will be getting about 22 hectares of land, whereas what is on paper is 12 hectares. Her land is bounded by a very weak fence and about 10 metres of poorly constructed drainage. The whole thing is there for everybody to see,” Umahi said.
He said the developer had engaged civil society organisations (CSOs) but had yet to produce relevant documents when asked.
