Court dismisses Okengwu’s suit on Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway for lack of merit

A Federal High Court has struck out a suit filed by Mrs Stella Ifeoma Okengwu, Chief Executive Officer of Winhomes Global Services Limited, over claims that the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway encroached on a purported residential development in Okun Ajah, Lagos.

Mrs Okengwu had alleged that the highway route was diverted into land belonging to her company, thereby jeopardising an investment she valued at over $250 million. However, what she had publicly described as a residential estate was said in court documents to be only a gatehouse structure with no further development on the site.

In its ruling on Friday, the court held that documents filed by Mrs Okengwu in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1803/2024 contradicted her public assertions. In both her supporting affidavit and further affidavit, she stated that Winhomes had already sold the land in question to third parties. The court held that these admissions meant she and the company had divested their interest in the property.

Ruling on preliminary objections, the court found that Mrs Okengwu and Winhomes lacked the locus standi to institute the action since they no longer held proprietary rights in the land. It further held that the plaintiffs failed to disclose a reasonable cause of action.

The court also determined that the issues raised—centred on land use and alleged trespass—fell outside the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court under section 251 of the 1999 Constitution.

The ruling brings clarity to weeks of public debate triggered by the suit, which had generated extensive media commentary.

Members of the public have been urged to disregard ongoing online allegations relating to the project and the Honourable Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi. The clarification was issued by the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media, Hon. Orji Uchenna Orji.