Enugu govt opens up on controversy with businessman declared wanted by EFCC

The Enugu State government has opened up on the controversy between it and Olasijibomi Ogundele, Chief Executive Officer of Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, declared Ogundele wanted on allegations of money laundering and diversion of funds.

In a quick response, Ogundele in a heartfelt video, tearfully denied being a “thief or fugitive” and pledged to visit the EFCC to clear his name.

He said: “I’m not a thief, I’m not a fugitive. This is a contract between my company and the Enugu State Government. The Enugu State Government asked me to help them build a couple of things, which were very interesting. I was going to the state every week.

“In the middle of the project, the governor said he wanted to build a city and he wanted to build the tallest building in Nigeria.

“I was in agreement with the government after they took us to court. Now they declared me wanted, and they destroyed the company that I built. I am going to the EFCC office to clear my name. In the last five years, prices have gone crazy; something I could have done in two years was delayed.”

However, the Enugu State government accused the embattled businessman of diverting N5.76 billion meant for the construction of 22 Smart Green Schools across the state.

According to the state’s Commissioner for Information and Communication, Malachy Agbo, the contract, worth N11.46 billion, was awarded to Sujimoto on July 2, 2024.

The government released N5.76 billion upfront, representing 50 percent of the contract sum, to fast-track the project. But despite the huge disbursement, Agbo alleged that Ogundele abandoned the sites, employed inexperienced workers, and delivered substandard work that fell short of contractual specifications.

“Instead of delivering quality projects that would be furnished and equipped ahead of September 2025 resumption, Mr. Ogundele resorted to shoddy jobs, using quack engineers and inexperienced workers,” Agbo said, adding that none of the schools inspected met the required structural standards.

The commissioner noted that all efforts to reach Ogundele proved futile, as he allegedly ignored calls, messages, and invitations to progress briefings.

Furthermore, a joint inspection carried out by the state Ministry of Works and the EFCC on May 8–9, 2025, reportedly revealed “minimal to no significant work” on the sites, with no excavation carried out nearly a year after the award of the contract.

Agbo alleged that the payment, received through Sujimoto’s corporate account, was never deployed for its intended purpose, suggesting a deliberate plan to defraud the state.

Consequently, the government has reassigned the projects to new contractors to ensure their completion before schools reopen in September 2025.

Enugu government dismissed denial of Ogundele through a viral video, describing his remarks as theatrics, and “crocodile tears.”

“Enugu State Government is resolute and will recover every kobo fraudulently obtained by Mr. Olasijibomi Ogundele,” Agbo declared.