Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The Enugu State Government has accused the Chief Executive Officer of Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited, Olasijibomi Ogundele, of defrauding the state of nearly ₦6 billion earmarked for the construction of 22 Smart Green Schools.
The government, in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Dr. Malachy Agbo, vowed to recover every kobo paid to the contractor.
According to the statement, Ogundele allegedly abandoned the projects after receiving 50 percent of the contract sum and failed to deliver quality work at the sites.
It recalled that on July 2, 2024, Sujimoto was awarded a contract worth ₦11.45 billion for the construction of 22 Smart Schools with a six-month completion timeline. To fast-track the projects, the state released ₦5.76 billion—representing 50 percent of the total contract sum.
“Rather than abide by the contract terms to deliver quality projects for furnishing and equipping ahead of September 2025 school resumption, Mr. Ogundele resorted to shoddy jobs and the use of inexperienced workers and quack engineers. None of his sites met the structural integrity standards specified in the drawings. Worse still, he vanished into thin air with the money,” the statement alleged.
The government added that repeated efforts to reach Ogundele failed, prompting a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). A joint inspection by EFCC operatives and state officials in May 2025 reportedly revealed minimal progress, with many sites left at the foundation level.
Agbo further alleged that although Ogundele presented a Jaiz Bank bond to secure the contract, payments were made through another bank account belonging to Sujimoto, making it impossible to hold Jaiz Bank accountable. He described this as “a premeditated intent to defraud the state.”
The state has since reassigned the projects to new contractors and pledged that the schools will be delivered by September 2025.
“Nigerians should disregard his theatrics and crocodile tears. Enugu State Government will recover every penny of Ndi Enugu’s funds fraudulently obtained by Mr. Olasijibomi Ogundele,” the statement concluded.
Ogundele’s reaction
In an emotional video shared online, Ogundele denied the allegations and vowed to clear his name before the EFCC.
“I’m not a thief, I’m not a fugitive. This is a contract between my company and Enugu State Government. In the middle of the project, the governor said he wanted to build a city and the tallest building in Nigeria. Now they have declared me wanted and destroyed the company I built. I am going to the EFCC office to clear my name,” he said, blaming inflation and project delays for the contract breakdown.
The EFCC has since declared Ogundele wanted. In a notice signed by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the commission urged the public to provide information on his whereabouts.
The notice read in part: “Olasijibomi Ogundele of Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited is wanted by the EFCC in an alleged case of diversion of funds and money laundering. Anybody with useful information should please contact the Commission or the nearest police station.”
Although the EFCC did not specify the exact amount involved, the notice confirmed that Ogundele is under investigation for major financial crimes.
