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A group of Nigerians in the diaspora has written an open letter to President Bola Tinubu, seeking his intervention in a dispute over the demolition of WinHomes Estate in Okun Ajah, Lagos State.
The estate, developed by WinHomes Global Services Ltd, was allegedly demolished by Federal Ministry of Works officials without notice or compensation.
The petition, signed by Dr. Olubokun-Basorun, Engr. Femi Adekoya, Dr Arinze Onwumelu, and Dr Kimberly Stark, on behalf of the diaspora group, expressed their shock and disappointment at the demolition of their properties. They noted that they had conducted thorough due diligence and obtained all necessary documents, including a certificate of occupancy, governor’s consent, and clearance from the coastal road right of way.
“We were taken aback when, without notice, officials of the Ministry of Works, supervised by Engr David Umahi did the unimaginable by destroying the properties in an isolated attack on the investments and sweat of Nigerians in the diaspora without any form of engagement or legal notification,” the letter read.
The investors questioned the motives behind the demolition, citing allegations of bribery and corruption involving the Ministry of Works and the diversion of the coastal road alignment.
They alleged that the original alignment, as gazetted in 2006, was altered to favour specific interests, destroying their properties.
“We recently learnt of an allegation that Ocean Bay estate residents paid a substantial amount to the ministry officials to divert the coastal road, thus avoiding the demolition of their properties, which violated the original alignment and diverted into the property of law-abiding citizens of Winhomes estate that has done all their due diligence and has all the documentation issued by Lagos State government,’’ they said.
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