NIGERIANS IN DIASPORA CRY OUT AS DAVE UMAHI DESTROYED THEIR OVER N375 BILLION INVESTMENT IN REAL ESTATE IN NIGERIA

NIGERIANS IN DIASPORA CRY OUT AS DAVE UMAHI DESTROYED THEIR OVER N375 BILLION INVESTMENT IN REAL ESTATE IN NIGERIA

Some Nigerians investors from diaspora under the aegis of Association of Nigerians in Diaspora have cried out to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over their multi billion investment in Nigeria, allegedly destroyed by the Minister of Works of Nigeria, Engr. David Nweze Umahi CON.

The Managing Director, Winhomes Global Services Limited, Engr. Stella Ifeoma Okengwu, reads an open letter to President Tinubu during their World Press Conference held in Houston Texas on Sunday February 23, 2025 at about 11:00 pm Nigeria time at Westheimer Road, Houston Texas and monitored online. 

The open letter titled, "Address to the President: An Indictment of Minister Engr. David Umahi" calls for quick intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to rescue their over $250 million in foreign direct investment in Nigeria, which in naira is about N375 billion invested in acquiring and developing 17.03 hectares of land in Okun Ajah, Etiosa LGA, Lagos State. But Engr Umahi was said to have initiated the demolition of properties, claiming that the investments of $250 million are merely a 'bare land'.

The open letter reads,

"I Engr. Stella Ifeoma Okengwu, Managing Director of Winhomes Global Services Limited, hereby present a grave indictment against Engr. David Umahi, the Minister of Works, and the Federal Ministry of Works of Nigeria. The actions of this minister reveal a disturbing pattern of illegal demolition, abuse of power, bribery, corruption, manipulation, and witch-hunting.

"Winhomes, a leading real estate company, has made significant contributions to Nigeria’s economy, repatriating $250 million in foreign direct investment. Our efforts align with your renewed hope agenda, encouraging Nigerians in the diaspora to invest at home. Despite our compliance with all legal requirements, including obtaining the necessary certifications and approvals, we have faced unjust treatment at the hands of the Ministry of Works.

"In the first quarter of 2024, we were shocked to learn that Minister Umahi had ordered an illegal diversion of the coastal road into our investment property—an action that defies the original alignment earmarked by your administration. This blatant disregard for the law, coupled with the minister’s selective demolition practices, raises serious concerns about integrity within the ministry,"

Suspecting that these actions of the Umahi "appear to be driven by personal agendas and corrupt dealings, as evidenced by credible reports of bribery linked to the Ocean Bay Estate. It is alarming that those who have illegally encroached upon the coastal road are spared, while law-abiding citizens like us face unwarranted punishment.

"Furthermore, the minister has publicly attacked me, labeling me a land grabber and issuing threats against my person, while denying the legitimacy of our investments. His insistence that our estate is merely “bare land” after demolishing our structures is a blatant falsehood.

"Recent developments, including his instructions to alter another alignment for personal gain, exemplify the selective manipulation of law and resources under his watch. The minister’s assertion that the Oba of Lagos, has no power to do anything because his land has been possessed alongside his blatant lies regarding utility placements, further underscores his contempt for authority and due process.

"The minister of works claiming that there is cable in Okun-Ajah is a ballant lie because we did our thorough investigation with Al dha Hassan, the people in charge of the design; and it was shown that there is no cables embedded on that area.

"The minister disregarded the rule of law by not following the directive of the federal high court of Lagos state by JUSTICE ALUKO which says: I will enjoin all parties to respect court processes and do not engage in any act capable of foisting a fait accomplishing on the court or render the out come of the case nugatory shows his track record of abusing power

"This pattern of impunity cannot be ignored. Engr. Umahi is undermining your administration’s efforts to foster investment and development in Nigeria. His disregard for the law and the rights of citizens is a threat to the very principles of governance that you advocate.

"We call for his immediate removal or honorable resignation. The people of Nigeria deserve a minister who embodies the renewed hope vision, not one who perpetuates corruption and abuse. We implore you, Mr. President, to take swift action to uphold the rule of law and restore faith in our nation’s governance.

Concluding the letter by stressing that they have made several appeals to "various government bodies, including the House Committee on Works and the ICPC, yet no action has been taken. We trust that your leadership will not allow this injustice to continue"

Also a former presidential aspirant under Labour Parry, His Excellency Faduri Oluwadare Joseph popularly called Fadojoe, lending his voice to call on the president to act fast on the lingering issue, stressed that if investors investment can no longer be protected under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, then it's obvious that this administration will scare off foreign investors from Nigeria.

Therefore, on behalf of the Association of Nigerians Diasporan Investors, "we are gathered today to expose this unfortunate issue to the whole world. And our demands are simple:

"1. To appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to look into Minister David Umahi's handlings and activities in the Ministry of Works as regards the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Roads Projects.

"2. That the ongoing land grabbing and illegal demolition by David Umahi be stopped and then well probed so that cases of using excuses to destroy legal projects be properly looked into to ensure that the government begging investors to come to the country wouldn't be destroying investors, investment and thereby scaring away other investors from our dear country.

"3. The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the National Assembly look into making laws that will protect foreign investors and their investment so that many other Nigerians and foreigners can stop being afraid of coming to Nigeria to invest.

"4. That no one in Nigeria should be above the law of the land where applicable.

"5. That government should fully return back to investors, all that have been taken from them and Nigerian government should respect law and order and fully repay back all demolished and grabbed lands from diaspora investors, whose investment were illegally grabbed or demolished by the Ministry of Works under Hon. David Umahi

"6. That we Nigerians in diaspora want to rebuild and make our dear nation, Nigeria great again; but we need the enabling environment and assurance from our government that our investments would be secured and safe". His speech notes.

Other Nigerians in Diaspora also addressed the press on the pertinent issue.

While a Nigerian who simply identified himself as Malik calls for full transparency of project plans, which according to him, "any project that seeks to disrupt the lives and properties of citizens must be shared openly and discussed inclusively. We must ensure that the voices of the affected are heard. 

He also stressed the need for full investigation and accountability, asserting that "we demand an investigation into the motives behind these evil demolitions, to expose" any ulterior motives behind the destruction of such huge diaspora investment. 

Clarifying the air on the development of the issue, Engr. Stella Ifeoma, who serves as the 

CEO of Winhomes Global Services LTD, the legal owner of the 17.03 hectares of land in Okun Ajah, Etiosa LGA, Lagos State.

Notes as follows:

"It is imperative to clarify that while I hold the title of CEO, my primary role is acting as the Coordinator of 

Properties for numerous Nigerians and foreign nationals in the diaspora who have united in our 

initiative to promote investment not only in Nigeria but throughout Africa. These individuals have 

labored diligently in countries such as the United States, Canada, Germany, Belgium, and the United 

Kingdom, and they seek a secure place to call home—a vision that inspired the establishment of 

Winhomes.

"We undertook comprehensive due diligence in acquiring this property, securing the Governor's Consent and purchasing land that is accompanied by a Certificate of Occupancy. Furthermore, we possess a Right of Way clearance from the Lagos State government, confirming that the land is free from all encumbrances and is not situated within the designated alignment of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road.

"To elaborate, the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road project was conceptualized during the administration of Alhaji Lateef Jakande and was adopted by then Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2006, subsequently enacted into law by the Lagos State House of Assembly. The alignment for this road has been clearly designated.

"In 2022, I began to hear unsettling rumors regarding the imminent construction of the Lagos-Calabar 

Coastal Road. Initially, we felt no concern, as our property does not fall along the established route. However, following the appointment of Engineer David Umahi as Minister for Works, significant deviations from the designated alignment were proposed, despite his assurances—both private and 

public—during stakeholder meetings at Eko Hotel, that he would adhere to the original plan; instead, he chose to seize properties from those who have not built along the alignment, leaving those who have constructed on the alignment in a precarious position.

"Recently, Engineer David Umahi publicly insulted and threatened me, subsequently initiating the 

demolition of properties within the Winhomes Estate at Okun Ajah. This action is in direct violation of the directives issued by the Federal High Court of Lagos State, which mandated that he, along with High-

Tech, the Attorney General of the Federation, and the Lagos State government, refrain from any 

construction activities while the case remains unresolved.

"Despite this ruling, Engineer David Umahi has stationed military personnel and commenced construction following the destruction of numerous properties".

She asserts that

the Right of Occupancy for Winhomes Estates is still so much valid as there is no order of revocation by any authority including Lagos State government, "and our Certificate of Occupancy remains valid. We are not infringing upon the right of way alignment. Therefore, the current situation demands urgent scrutiny.

"The Minister's only justification for his actions has been to claim that the investments of $250 million 

are merely a "bare land' after demolishing properties within the estate. Furthermore, he has falsely asserted that the presence of an MTN cable necessitated his deviation from the original 

alignment. This assertion is unequivocally false, as the MTN cable originates from the Atlantic Ocean near Okun Mopol Ijebu, approximately 25 kilometers from Okun Ajah.

"Such manipulation, deceit, and outright falsehoods presented to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must be addressed. The integrity of Nigeria is at stake due to the impunity exhibited by David Umahi. 

"Higher authorities must intervene to rectify this situation, as upholding the rule of law is essential for national credibility and investment confidence", she concludes.