Lagos-Calabar highway: Umahi wants $250m diaspora investors’ accounts published

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has demanded that the Chief Executive Officer of Winhomes Global Services Limited, Stella Ifeoma, publish the detailed financial records of diaspora investors from whom she purportedly raised $250m.

He made this proclamation at the stakeholders meeting held on Sunday at Eko Hotel, in Victoria Island, Lagos State.

He said, “There’s one Mrs Ifoma who goes to African restaurants in America and pays people little sums of money, saying she invested $250m. If she collected the $250m, those who paid to her should hold her responsible, as nothing has been done on the land, just a gatehouse.

“Also, I am saying that the taxman should collect tax on the profit made on the fixing of that money because if she indeed collected it, she has to publish the collection so that we can take her seriously. Let her publish the bank’s housing for that $250m; he who alleges must prove it. We are tasking her to publish the $250m in the banks and the interest accrued from such monies so that the taxman can collect the tax from it, as legally there is a tax to be paid on every fund that is fixed.”

Umahi asserted that he wanted stakeholders and the media to ask Ifeoma where the $250m was, evidencing the bank, bank accounts and names of the people that contributed should be published, adding that the tax man should also request tax from the $250m.

He added, “Just because a woman came to acquire a village land and left it there for the past 20 years and, according to her, collected money from people in the diaspora – some of them have not been to Nigeria for a very long time – I have warned these people in the diaspora: do not give your money any anyhow, use this one to learn some lessons.”

It was earlier reported that a group of American investors gathered in Houston, Texas, in the United States, to protest against the recent demolition of a $250m Winhomes Estate property in the Okun Ajah area of Lagos State.

The protesters, who gathered in Houston, wielded placards with several inscriptions, calling on President Bola Tinubu to caution the Minister of Works “for his incompetence and the destruction of their investments”.

In a statement, the Chief Executive Officer of Winhomes Global Services Limited, while speaking during the protest, said, “We are the legal owners of 17.03 hectares of land in Okun Ajah, Etiosa LGA, Lagos State. It is imperative to clarify that while I hold the title of CEO, my primary role is to act 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 laboured 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.”

According to the statement, she said the group undertook comprehensive due diligence in acquiring the demolished property, securing the state governor’s consent and purchasing the land that is accompanied by a Certificate of Occupancy.

It said, “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 conceptualised 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.”

Ifeoma in the statement added, “In 2022, I began to hear unsettling rumours 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 David Umahi as the Minister for Works, significant deviations from the designated alignment were proposed, despite his assurances, both private and public, during stakeholders’ meetings at the Eko Hotel, that he would adhere to the original plan.

 “Instead, he chose to seize property from those who have not built along the alignment, leaving those who have constructed on the alignment in a precarious position.

“Recently, Umahi publicly insulted and threatened me, subsequently initiating the demolition of property 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 HighTech, the Attorney General of the Federation, and the Lagos State government, refrain from any construction activities while the case remains unresolved.”

The protesters, according to the statement, accused Umahi of incompetence, calling on President Tinubu to relieve him of his duties. They also called for an extensive investigation into the matter, saying they will stop at nothing to ensure that Nigerian leaders are held accountable for their actions in office.

They said, Mr President, Sir, we demand that the government introspects and rectifies this course of action. We ask for a thorough investigation into the process that led to these illegal and evil demolitions, the undertone of corruption. Transparency is non-negotiable; accountability is essential. If we do not demand integrity from our leaders, how can we expect to foster a culture of trust and progress across Nigeria?

“It is time for us to rise together to raise our voices and signal to the minister and any other leader that such actions will not be tolerated. We must hold our leaders accountable, demanding that they remember their duty to uphold the constitution, serve the interests of all citizens equitably, and respect the rule of law above all.

“We painfully pass a vote of no confidence on Dave Umahi, pray and demand from our dear Father, President Tinubu, full transparency of project plans: any project that seeks to disrupt the lives and property of citizens must be shared openly and discussed inclusively. We must ensure that the voices of the affected are heard.”