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By Christopher Oji
Nigerians in the Diaspora and their coordinator ,have petitioned the National Assembly against the Ministery of Works for non payment of compensation for their demolished investment in Okun Ajah, Eti Osa Local Government, Lagos State .
The Diaspora investors ,who invested under the Winhomes Estate Global Services Limited accused the Ministry of not only illegally diverting the Lagos- Calabar Costal Highway into their property, but also refused to compensate them for the loss of 18 hectares of land with some structures .
Mrs Stella Okengwu and other investors want the National Assembly to wade into the marriage and prevail the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi to compensate the investigators in other not to discourage others from investing in Nigeria.
In rhe petition titled “ Petition against the Federal Ministry of Works. In the petition titled “Petition Against the Federal Ministry of Works in respect of its refusal to pay compensation to Winhomes Estate Global Services Limited being the Diaspora investors petition to NASS over alleged non-payment of compensation on Lagos–Calabar highway.
Nigerians in the diaspora, under the coordination of Ifeoma Stella Okengwu, have petitioned the National Assembly over the alleged refusal of the Federal Ministry of Works to pay compensation for properties demolished during the construction of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway in Okun Ajah, Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State.
The investors, who said they invested through Winhomes Estate Global Services Limited, accused the Minister of Works, David Umahi, of illegally diverting the highway into their property and failing to compensate them for the loss of about 18 hectares of land and several structures Legal Title Holder of 18 hectares of land at Okun Ajah, Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos destroyed during the construction of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway,” the investors urged the Senate to intervene.
The petition, addressed to the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, was written by Maverick Forte Legal on behalf of Winhomes Estate Global Services Limited and its Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Ifeoma Okengwu.
According to the petitioners, Winhomes Estate Global Services Limited is a duly registered company involved in mass estate development and global-standard housing projects, while Okengwu has attracted significant foreign direct investment to the affected property.
They stated that the company holds valid titles to the land, supported by Certificates of Occupancy and a Deed of Assignment dated April 22, 2022, duly consented to by the Lagos State Attorney-General.
The petitioners alleged that the Ministry of Works diverted the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway from its original alignment into their property, contrary to the initial designs vetted by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
They urged the National Assembly to demand the original approved plans of the project from the Ministry.
They further disclosed that prior to the demolition, the company sought clarification from the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development on whether its land fell within any government right of way. A letter dated April 16, 2024, from the ministry reportedly confirmed that the property was free from any right-of-way alignment.
Despite this, the petitioners said their entire property was later demolished, their land encroached upon, and some individuals arrested and detained, all without compensation.
The investors maintained that the coastal highway was unlawfully diverted inland, arguing that the re-routing did not conform with approved physical planning designs, was not gazetted, and lacked an Environmental Impact Assessment.
They contended that the minister acted without lawful authority and in violation of due process.
Among their prayers, the petitioners asked the Senate to constitute an ad hoc committee to investigate the matter, including holding public hearings and inviting all relevant stakeholders.
They also urged the National Assembly to direct the Ministry of Works to immediately commence payment of compensation at prevailing market value for the land, structures, and loss of livelihood within two weeks of a resolution.
Meanwhile, the Office of the Clerk to the National Assembly has acknowledged receipt of the petition.
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In a letter dated January 7, 2026, signed by Dr. Bello Olatunfi Babatunde, Director (Management), the office advised the petitioners to channel their grievance to the appropriate committees.
“In line with established procedures, you are advised to address the petition to the Chairman, Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions of the Senate or the Chairman, Committee on Public Petitions of the House of Representatives,” the letter stated, adding that the petition needed to be properly directed for effective consideration.
They maintained that,” Without hesitation, in adherence to established international best practices, global protocols and extant regulations, our clients commissioned the charting of a composite plan in respect of the entire portion of lands under its ownership
Our clients applied to the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Alausa, Ikeja to ascertain the status of its property in respect of the Government’s right of way.”
“ Expectedly, our clients are in receipt of a letter dated 16h April, 2024 covered by reference number MPP & UD/ DM/ 24 / 145/7 appropriately signed by Tpl. Somolu, a Deputy Director (Development Matters Dept.) herewith attached and marked as ANNEXURE WINHOMES 2 which clearly states that, our clients’ property is free from the Right of Way Alignment.”the petitioners noted .
They lamented that “ However, despite concerted efforts and pleas to ensure the Federal Minister of Works utilize his good offices, consider humanity, preserve Diaspora’s huge foreign direct investment (FDI) from private individuals and corporate entities, some of whom have built massive properties, our clients was jolted by the sudden destruction of the entire properties, encroachment of the vast eighteen (18) hectares of land, arrest and detention of private persons and complete barricade without any payment of compensation.
“ Our clients are of the recondite position, the Coastal road was illegally diverted inland from the coastal seaside. As the name suggest, the highway ought to be built along the coastal way, surprisingly, it was diverted culminating in the deprivation of our countless subscribers in our clients’ properties.
“Our clients are of the firm view that, the diversion does not conform with the approved physical planning and designs by the Federal Executive Council gazetted into the Federal Governemnt’s Archives and Records neither was Environmental Impact Assessment initiated on the diversion route.
“Our clients strongly believes in the absence of a gazetted approval of the diversion of the re-routed Lagos Calabar Coastal Highway, the Minister of Works reasonably acted on its discretion without lawful sanction, adherence to due process and statutory procedure for acquisition of private properties.”
“They therefore, prayed for the “ Establishment of a ad-hoc committee with a specific timeline for the probing including; invitation, investigation, public hearing and call for all necessary papers from all stakeholders, Ministries and Departments, affected persons in respect of the Lagos – Calabar Coastal Highway.”
They also asked the Senate to “ Direct by resolution to the Federal Ministry of Works to immediately set up machineries for the payment of compensation on prevailing market value of land, properties built, improvement and furnishings erected on the lands to cover for the loss of business and livelihood within TWO WEEKS from the date resolution was passed.”
Dr. Bello Olatunfi Babatunde,
Director (Management), Office of the Clerk to the National Assembly,in a latter dated 7th January 2026 ,while acknowledging the receipt of the letter from the abroad- based Nigerians ,advised to address their grievance to the Chairman, Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions of the Senate or the Chairman Committee on Public Petition of the House of Representative
Dr Bello ,in the letter ,said “ We acknowledge receipt of your letter on the above subject dated 23rd December, 2025.”
“ However, the petition will need to be put in the right perspective for it to be properly addressed” he noted .
“ In line with established procedures, you are advised to address the petition to the Chairman, Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions of the Senate or the Chairman Committee on Public Petition of the House of Representatives, as you may wish.
“You are further advised to liaise with the clerk of the committee mentioned above in the Senate or the House of Representatives for necessary administrative attention.”
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