Winhomes Refutes Tax Evasion Allegations, Demands Presidential Probe into Estate Demolition

Stella Okengwu, Chief Executive Officer of Winhomes Global Services Limited, has responded to recent allegations by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, accusing her company of tax evasion and misrepresentation regarding its real estate developments.

The controversy arose during the commissioning of the Lekki-Epe Deep Seaport Road last week, where Umahi publicly questioned Winhomes’ investment claims and tax compliance. He alleged that the company had not fulfilled its tax obligations and questioned the existence of any physical development on the land it claimed to have invested ₦250 million in.

"Winhomes says they've invested ₦250 million, yet there's no visible structure on the land. The FIRS needs to act. We have the video footage," Umahi said during the event, further accusing Okengwu of leveraging international platforms to tarnish his image.

In a rebuttal video statement, Okengwu firmly denied the minister’s assertions. She maintained that Winhomes has met all tax obligations and obtained the necessary government approvals for its estate located in Okun Ajah, Lagos

“We have invested over ₦250 million in this estate and fulfilled all tax responsibilities. Our project aligns with national development goals, but that development must be grounded in legality and fairness,” she said.

.Okengwu claimed that despite compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements, the estate was demolished. She has called for a presidential investigation into the demolition and requested a review of the broader implementation strategy for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, which she said directly affected their property.

According to her, the estate falls outside the officially marked right-of-way—specifically between Chainage 16 and 18—citing survey documents and government permits as evidence.

“Our concern goes beyond the demolition itself; it’s about the process behind it. We urge the government to treat Nigerian investors fairly and uphold the rule of law,” she said.

She also urged federal authorities to independently assess the legal status and location of the estate in relation to the highway project and called on law enforcement to probe reported incidents during the demolition.

Appealing directly to President Bola Tinubu, Okengwu said, “We are asking Mr. President to intervene—not only to investigate this case but to ensure future infrastructure developments respect property rights and investor confidence.”