Entrusting relatives with building projects back home is a common practice among Nigerians in the diaspora, but it can come with unexpected risks.
A Nigerian woman based in the United Kingdom had been sending money to her brother to supervise the construction of her house. Work reportedly began toward the end of last year, with the brother handling the project on her behalf. However, while managing his sister’s building, he was also said to be completing his own house and starting another from scratch — a development that later raised suspicions.
Sources familiar with the matter disclosed that the woman began to suspect that her brother might have been inflating costs or diverting funds from her project. In January, she relieved him of his supervisory duties and handed the construction over to a site engineer.
The situation took a dramatic turn last week when unknown persons allegedly broke into the uncompleted building and carted away electrical wires, tiles, and plumbing materials. In response, the woman accused her brother of orchestrating the theft and reportedly had him arrested.
At the time of filing this report, there is no confirmed evidence linking the brother to the incident. The development has since sparked debate within the community, with some questioning whether the arrest was justified, while others point to the risks often associated with managing projects remotely.
The incident once again highlights the delicate balance between trust, accountability, and proper oversight when handling property investments from abroad.