The Chief Executive Officer of Winhomes Global Services Limited, Mrs Stella Okengwu, has replied the Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi, over comments made about her company’s tax status and the demolition of its property in Lagos State. Mrs Okengwu has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to set up a proper investigation into the recent demolition of the Winhomes estate located in Okun Ajah, along the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project corridor.
The issue came to public attention during the official inauguration of the Lekki-Epe Deep Seaport Road last week. During the event, Minister Umahi raised questions about the legality of the property and accused Winhomes of not paying taxes. He also questioned the claim that the company had invested ₦250 million into the real estate project before it was brought down by federal authorities.
While addressing the gathering, Umahi said, “Winhomes said they have invested ₦250m, and I wonder why the FIRS chairman is not going after them for tax. You have to go after them. They didn’t know we already videoed the area. No structure was there.”
He also took aim at Mrs Okengwu personally, stating, “The woman is making me very popular by going to America and Canada. I elected to give her money to go to London because we do not care. We have Mr President who has our back, and we are moving forward.”
Mrs Okengwu, in a swift reaction, released a video on social media where she firmly denied the minister’s accusations. She said Winhomes Global Services is a law-abiding real estate firm that has followed all procedures and met all tax obligations before and during the development of the estate in question. She described Umahi’s public statements as unfair and damaging to her company’s image.
According to her, “We have invested over ₦250 million in the estate and have complied with our tax obligations. We support national development, but it must follow due process and respect the rule of law.”
She stressed that the demolished property was not located on the officially marked right-of-way of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. Mrs Okengwu explained that the estate falls between Chainage 16 and Chainage 18, a location she said is outside the federal government’s construction path. She added that Winhomes obtained all necessary approvals and survey records before starting development on the land.
She expressed shock at how the demolition was carried out, saying it was done in a manner that ignored the documents and approvals already secured by her company. She asked the federal government to allow an independent body to go through all the papers to confirm their legality.
Mrs Okengwu said, “Our concern is not just about the demolition but about the process that led to it. We believe it is important for the government to demonstrate fairness, especially to Nigerians investing in the country.”
She also called on security agencies to investigate reported acts of harassment during the demolition exercise. According to her, these disturbances created fear and disrupted peace in the area.
In her appeal to President Bola Tinubu, Mrs Okengwu asked that the President not only look into this specific case but also take steps to ensure future infrastructure projects do not violate property rights. She stressed the need for government actions to respect due process and encourage investors, especially in the housing sector.
“We ask Mr President to intervene, not only to review this specific incident but also to ensure that future developments respect legal ownership and encourage investor confidence,” she said.
The incident has sparked debates across the real estate and infrastructure development sectors. Many Nigerians on social media and within the property industry have expressed concern about how such a large investment was allegedly cleared without proper compensation or legal backing.
The demolition of the Winhomes estate adds to growing criticism of how the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is being executed. While the federal government insists the road is a key infrastructure project that will boost the economy, property developers and environmental groups are raising questions around transparency, fairness, compensation, and the protection of landowners.
The project, which stretches along the coastal states, has faced resistance from communities and businesses located close to the highway’s right-of-way. Many are now calling on the government to publish clear information about land boundaries, approved routes, and planned compensations.
Mrs Okengwu’s case has also highlighted the need for better coordination between agencies like the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Ministry of Works, and state governments, especially in handling investments and property development in high-value urban areas.
As the situation unfolds, all eyes are now on the federal government and whether President Tinubu will take any action on the matter.
