The Chief Executive Officer of Winhomes Global Services Limited, Stella Okengwu, has responded to the Minister of Works, David Umahi, over recent comments made against her company and the controversial demolition of its estate in Okun Ajah, Lagos State.
In a viral video released over the weekend, Okengwu refuted the minister’s claims that Winhomes had defaulted on its tax obligations and owned undeveloped land along the alignment of the ongoing Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
The controversy began last week during the inauguration of the Lekki-Epe Deep Seaport road, where Umahi publicly criticised Winhomes, questioning the company’s ₦250 million investment claims and alleging tax evasion. He further mocked the company’s CEO, referencing her international appeals over the demolition.
“Winhomes said they have invested ₦250 million, and I wonder why the FIRS chairman is not going after them for tax,” Umahi said. “We videoed the existing route and saw no single structure. And the woman is going to America and Canada; I even offered to sponsor her to London because we don’t care — we are moving forward.”
Winhomes Denies Tax Evasion, Seeks Rule of Law
In her response, Stella Okengwu described the minister’s allegations as baseless and damaging, asserting that Winhomes had met all legal and tax requirements for its operations. She called for a presidential investigation into the demolition of her company’s estate, which she claimed was executed without proper notice or lawful justification.
“We have invested over ₦250 million in the estate and have complied with our tax obligations,” Okengwu stated. “We support national development, but it must follow due process and respect the rule of law.”
She maintained that Winhomes secured all relevant approvals and carried out a valid land survey, which clearly shows that the estate lies between Chainage 16 and 18 of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project — a zone outside the officially designated right-of-way.
Okengwu: “Demolition Was Arbitrary, Lacked Fair Process”
The CEO expressed grave concern over what she described as an arbitrary demolition, alleging that no proper notification was given before the estate was torn down. She questioned the rationale behind targeting Winhomes, while many other structures within the same corridor remained untouched.
“Our concern is not just about the demolition, but about the process that led to it. We believe the government should act with transparency and fairness, especially when dealing with private investors and law-abiding Nigerians,” she added.
She further appealed to President Bola Tinubu, urging him to ensure a thorough, independent investigation of the incident and also conduct a broader review of the Lagos-Calabar Highway implementation to prevent recurrence of such disputes.
“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 pleaded.
Calls for Independent Verification and Law Enforcement Investigation
Okengwu asked that relevant authorities and independent agencies verify Winhomes’ documentation, land title, and the estate’s actual location in relation to the project. She also demanded that law enforcement agencies look into reports of alleged intimidation and disorderly conduct during the demolition exercise.
She reiterated that such actions, if unchecked, will have a negative impact on investor confidence, especially for Nigerians investing in real estate and infrastructure.
“We are simply asking for fairness. As Nigerians investing in our homeland, we deserve protection under the law. Investors — local or foreign — must be assured that their investments are safe and protected from arbitrary action.”
Background on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Project
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is a massive infrastructure project spearheaded by the Federal Government to boost regional connectivity. However, the project has been mired in land acquisition controversies, with multiple property owners along the alignment alleging unlawful demolitions and insufficient compensation.
The Ministry of Works, under David Umahi, has consistently maintained that only properties within the government’s designated right-of-way are being affected. But the Winhomes case adds to growing calls for transparency, fair compensation, and better stakeholder engagement in the highway’s execution.
As of now, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has yet to issue a public statement on Umahi’s tax evasion allegations against Winhomes. Similarly, the Ministry of Works has not responded to Okengwu’s video rebuttal or her call for a presidential probe.
