The Enugu State Government has accused the Chief Executive Officer of Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited, Olasijibomi Ogundele, of defrauding the state of ₦5.76 billion meant for the construction of 22 Smart Green Schools.
Ogundele, already declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged money laundering and diversion of funds, broke down in tears in a viral video, insisting on his innocence and vowing to clear his name.
But the state government, in a statement issued on Friday by Commissioner for Information and Communication, Malachy Agbo, dismissed his claims as “theatrics and crocodile tears.”
Agbo revealed that the contract was awarded on July 2, 2024, at a total sum of ₦11.45 billion, with the government paying ₦5.76 billion upfront to fast-track the projects. Instead of progress, the government said Ogundele abandoned the sites, deployed inexperienced workers, and produced substandard work that failed structural integrity tests.
“None of his sites met the specifications of the structural drawings,” Agbo stated, adding that the contractor ignored calls, invitations, and project briefings organized by the state.
A joint inspection carried out by the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure alongside the EFCC on May 8 and 9, 2025, reportedly showed “minimal to no significant work done” nearly one year after the contract award.
According to the state, while Ogundele secured the contract with a Jaiz Bank bond and received payment through Sujimoto’s account registered with the ministry, the funds were never deployed to the projects.
“This clearly shows a premeditated intent to defraud the state ab initio,” the government said.
The government confirmed that the sites have now been reassigned to new contractors to ensure the Smart Green Schools are completed ahead of the September 2025 academic resumption.
Enugu State vowed to recover every kobo of the ₦5.76 billion allegedly misappropriated, stressing that the EFCC is already on the case.
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