Diaspora Investors Petition Tinubu Accuse Umahi Of Reckless Conduct

Homeowners of WINHOMES Estate, a $250 million Diaspora-funded housing project in Lagos, have written to President Bola Tinubu, accusing the Minister of Works, David Umahi, of reckless conduct and abuse of office in connection with the planned demolition of parts of the estate.

In the petition, the Chief Executive Officer of WINHOMES, U.S.-based Nigerian engineer Stella Okengwu, said the minister’s actions and public comments were unconstitutional and capable of damaging investor confidence in Nigeria. She accused Umahi of misrepresenting facts and using the President’s name to justify actions already under judicial review.

Okengwu said the project, which began in 2021, was designed to attract Diaspora investment into the country through real estate and tourism development. She stated that the 20-hectare estate has valid titles and 2,500 fully serviced plots valued at N150 million each, amounting to about N375 billion.

The petition alleged that the rerouting of the Lagos coastal highway project had affected over 400 plots worth around N60 billion, with total losses estimated at N85 billion, including infrastructure. Okengwu described the damage as a blow to Nigerians abroad who invested their hard-earned money in the country.

She also dismissed claims that the project was financed through illegal funds, noting that WINHOMES is certified by the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering (SCUML) and complies with all financial and regulatory requirements. According to her, all payments were made through legitimate international transfer platforms such as Sendwave, MoneyGram, and Western Union.

Okengwu faulted Umahi’s statement that the Federal Government had already won the legal dispute, clarifying that the case — filed as Suit No. FHC/L/CS/10063/25 — is still pending before the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos. She cited a Supreme Court precedent that prohibits any party, including government agencies, from taking over disputed property while litigation is ongoing.

The petition further accused Umahi of contempt by visiting the estate and declaring the land under government control despite the court case. Okengwu also raised concerns that some private developers had approached the Minister to buy sections of the disputed land, warning that such actions could damage Nigeria’s credibility among foreign investors.

She urged President Tinubu to intervene immediately, calling for the protection of the rule of law, a public correction of alleged misinformation, and compensation for Diaspora investors who suffered financial losses. She also demanded an investigation into reports of cash-to-dollar transactions within the Ministry of Works.

Okengwu appealed to the President to uphold justice and protect Nigeria’s investment reputation, warning that the handling of the dispute would shape how the international community views the country’s business environment.