3 hours ago
20
From Okwe Obi, Abuja
Some Nigerian investors in the diaspora, under the aegis of the Association of Nigerians Diasporan Investors, have cried out to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the demolition of a N375 billion property in Lagos State.
Speaking on behalf of the diaspora, Managing Director of Winhomes Global Services Limited, Stella Ifeoma Okengwu, at a press briefing in Houston, Texas yesterday, and in an open letter made available to journalists, said the demolished property had contributed $250 million in foreign direct investment to Nigeria.
Okengwu demanded the resignation of the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, for allegedly masterminding the demolition.
The open letter, titled “Address to the President: An Indictment of Minister Engr. David Umahi,” sought the 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 “bare land.”
The 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 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, labelling 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 blatant lie because we did our thorough investigation with Al Dha Hassan, the people in charge of the design; and it was shown that there are no cables embedded in 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 accompli on the court or render the outcome 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 honourable 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.”
According to her, “We 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 in the Labour Party, Faduri Oluwadare Joseph, called on President Tinubu to act swiftly on the lingering issue, stressing that if the Nigerians in the diaspora’s investment can no longer be protected under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, then it is obvious that this administration will scare off foreign investors from the country.
“I appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to look into Minister David Umahi’s handling and activities in the Ministry of Works as regards the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Roads Projects.
“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.
“That the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the National Assembly, looks 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.
“That no one in Nigeria should be above the law of the land where applicable.
“That government should fully return back to investors all that have been taken from them, and the Nigerian government should respect law and order and fully repay back all demolished and grabbed lands from diaspora investors, whose investments were illegally grabbed or demolished by the Ministry of Works under Hon. David Umahi.”
English (US) ·