By Ayomide Otitoju
The Enugu State Government has accused Olasijibomi Ogundele, Chief Executive of Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited, of diverting over ₦5.7 billion meant for the construction of 22 Smart Green Schools across the state.
In a statement issued on Friday, the spokesperson for Governor Peter Mbah said the sum represented 50 percent of an ₦11.45 billion contract awarded on July 2, 2024, with a six-month delivery timeline.
According to the state, Ogundele received ₦5.76 billion as an upfront payment but abandoned the project sites, failed to meet agreed milestones, and used unqualified personnel to deliver substandard work.
“Rather than fulfill the terms of the contract and contribute to the Smart Green Schools initiative, Mr. Ogundele delivered poor-quality work and then disappeared, refusing all attempts at communication,” the government alleged.
Authorities further claimed the contractor received funds through a Zenith Bank account belonging to Sujimoto Luxury Construction Ltd, instead of the Jaiz Bank account backed by a performance bond as stipulated in the agreement. This, the government said, complicated accountability and suggested an intent to defraud from the onset.
A joint inspection by the Enugu State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in May 2025 reportedly found little or no progress at most of the 22 school sites, with some lacking basic groundwork such as excavation.
The EFCC has since declared Ogundele wanted for alleged diversion of public funds and money laundering. Meanwhile, the state said it has reclaimed the sites and reassigned them to new contractors to ensure completion ahead of the September 2025 resumption date.
“Enugu State Government is committed to recovering every kobo fraudulently obtained by Mr. Ogundele and ensuring justice is served,” the statement concluded, urging the public to disregard any counterclaims by the contractor.
