Lagos–Calabar Highway: Diaspora investors fault Umahi’s ultimatum

By Tolu Folorunsho

LAGOS — NIGERIANS successful the Diaspora, who invested successful Winhomes Estate, yesterday, expressed displeasure implicit the seven-day ultimatum issued by the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, directing the institution to supply grounds of a $250 cardinal concern allegedly affected by the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway task astatine Okun Ajah, Lagos.

Umahi, during an inspection of the task astatine Kilometre 18 connected Tuesday, had fixed Winhomes Global Services Limited a seven-day deadline to people grounds of diaspora remittances done the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN oregon tender a nationalist apology.

The Minister, who dismissed the $250 cardinal assertion arsenic false, alleged that documents submitted by the steadfast showed it acquired lone 12 hectares of onshore successful 2022 for N50 million, with small much connected tract than a gatehouse, a abbreviated drainage stretch, and soil heaps. He threatened to petition the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, the Department of State Services, DSS, and adjacent constitute to the U.S. Embassy to unravel the information down the alleged investment, informing that misleading Nigerians and the diaspora assemblage would not beryllium condoned.

However, successful a swift reaction, the investors, successful a connection by the scheme’s coordinator, Engr. Stella Okengwu, said the Minister’s remarks did not bespeak the existent concern and could mislead some Nigerians and the planetary community.

The connection work successful part: “Diaspora investors successful Winhomes Estate categorically cull the caller nationalist statements made by the Minister of Works concerning the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway project. These statements are misleading, inaccurate, and a sedate disservice to Nigerians and the planetary community. It is imperative that the information beryllium told. Presenting a ineligible struggle arsenic though it bears statesmanlike endorsement drags the Presidency into a substance that indispensable beryllium resolved strictly by the courts. This erodes capitalist confidence, paints Nigeria arsenic a state wherever enforcement interference trumps judicial independence.”

, and sends the incorrect awesome to the planetary community.

“The Minister besides asserted that the Federal Government has already obtained a tribunal judgement successful its favour. This is untrue. The matter: Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1063/25 remains pending earlier Justice Akintayo Aluko astatine the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos. No proceedings has commenced, nary judgement has been delivered, and immoderate proposition different is simply a reckless distortion. “Under Nigerian law, ongoing cases indispensable beryllium allowed to tally their course. To revoke titles oregon prehend spot portion proceedings are progressive is unconstitutional and undermines the precise instauration of justice. “Diaspora investors successful WINHOMES volition convene a World Press Conference to contiguous undeniable evidence,video records, fiscal documents, and adept grounds to Nigerians and the planetary community. Our extremity is not lone to support our investments but besides to exposure the wider risks of arbitrary governance to immoderate capitalist considering Nigeria arsenic a viable destination.” 

The station Lagos–Calabar Highway: Diaspora investors responsibility Umahi’s ultimatum appeared archetypal connected Vanguard News.