KEY POINTS
- Enugu accuses Sujimoto CEO of diverting ₦6 billion.
- Ogundele denies fraud, blames delays and inflation.
- EFCC declares him wanted for financial crimes.
The Enugu State Government has accused Olasijibomi Ogundele, chief executive officer of Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited, of diverting nearly ₦6 billion earmarked for the construction of 22 Smart Green Schools.
In a statement Friday, Commissioner for Information Malachy Agbo alleged Ogundele abandoned the projects after collecting 50 percent of the contract sum, leaving most of the sites at foundation level. The state has since petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which has declared the businessman wanted.
State says schools project funds misused
Enugu awarded Sujimoto an ₦11.45 billion contract on July 2, 2024, with a six-month completion deadline. The government said it released ₦5.76 billion to accelerate delivery before the September 2025 school resumption.
Instead, officials claimed Ogundele used unqualified workers, ignored structural specifications and later disappeared with funds. A joint inspection by EFCC operatives and state officials in May 2025 reportedly confirmed negligible progress across sites.
Ogundele denies fraud allegations
In a video posted online, Ogundele denied the accusations, saying project delays and inflation derailed the contract. He argued that the state shifted priorities midway, demanding new projects, and pledged to defend himself before the EFCC.
“I’m not a thief, I’m not a fugitive,” Ogundele said, accusing state officials of destroying his reputation.
EFCC declares construction boss wanted
The EFCC, in a notice signed by its spokesman Dele Oyewale, confirmed Ogundele is wanted for alleged diversion of funds and money laundering. The agency urged the public to provide information on his whereabouts.
Meanwhile, Enugu has reassigned the school projects to new contractors, promising delivery by September 2025. “We will recover every penny of Ndi Enugu fraudulently obtained by Mr. Ogundele,” Agbo said.
