WINHOMES Estate Investors Petition President Tinubu over Demolition Linked to Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway
Property owners within WINHOMES Estate in Lagos have petitioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, raising concerns over the demolition of parts of the estate affected by the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway project. The petition, led by Engr. Stella Okengwu, Chief Executive Officer of WINHOMES Global Services Ltd., calls for executive intervention to safeguard investor confidence and ensure due process in ongoing legal proceedings.
In a letter addressed to the President, Okengwu a U.S.-based Nigerian investor and developer— criticised the Federal Ministry of Works for its handling of the demolition exercise. She warned that the action could severely impact investor sentiment, particularly among Nigerians in the Diaspora who have committed substantial funds to large-scale housing projects in Nigeria.
The matter is currently before the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos (Suit No: FHC/L/CS/10063/25). Okengwu cautioned that continued public commentary or executive actions related to the case could undermine judicial independence and breach the principle of separation of powers.
She also criticised recent statements attributed to the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, describing them as prejudicial to the ongoing case and inappropriate while litigation remains active.
Background of the WINHOMES Estate Project
Established in 2021, WINHOMES Estate was conceived as a tourism-driven residential development aimed at attracting diaspora investment into Nigeria’s real estate sector. The 20-hectare project holds three valid land titles and comprises roughly 2,500 serviced plots, each valued at approximately ₦150 million. The estate’s total estimated value stands at ₦375 billion (about $250 million), positioning it among Nigeria’s largest private real estate developments funded by diaspora investors.
Okengwu disclosed that the recent realignment of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway project affected around 400 plots within the estate an estimated ₦60 billion in property value with cumulative damages projected at ₦85 billion.
Legal and Financial Compliance Framework
WINHOMES Global Services Ltd. reaffirmed its compliance with Nigeria’s financial and regulatory frameworks. The firm is certified by the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering (SCUML), with all project funds channelled through verified international remittance systems. Okengwu emphasised that all transactions were transparent and traceable, reinforcing the estate’s legitimacy.
She further urged the Federal Government to ensure that all actions respect the rule of law. “The case is before a competent court, and due process must be allowed to take its course,” she noted, calling for an independent valuation of affected plots to guide fair compensation for impacted investors.
Implications for Diaspora Investment Confidence
Analysts note that the dispute underscores broader concerns around land rights, compensation, and investor protection in Nigeria’s infrastructure expansion efforts. With diaspora investors contributing significantly to real estate inflows, actions perceived as arbitrary or non-transparent could deter future investment and slow capital repatriation into the housing market.
The Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway one of the Federal Government’s flagship infrastructure projects is expected to link multiple coastal states, boost tourism, and enhance regional trade. However, its implementation has raised multiple controversies relating to route alignment, displacement, and compensation for affected property owners.
Conclusion
WINHOMES’ petition adds a new dimension to the ongoing dialogue between government agencies, developers, and investors on balancing infrastructure development with property rights. As the case proceeds in court, its outcome could set a precedent for how large-scale public works projects interact with private real estate investments especially those financed by Nigerians in the Diaspora.
