The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has remitted ₦1.27 billion to the Enugu State Government, marking a significant development in the ongoing probe into alleged fraud involving Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited.
The funds, recovered from the company, represent part of the approximately ₦5.7 billion (or close to ₦6 billion as initially reported in some accounts) paid as 50% mobilization fee for a ₦11.4 billion contract awarded in July 2024. The deal tasked Sujimoto with constructing 22 Smart Green Schools across Enugu State within six months.
The controversy erupted when joint inspections by Enugu State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure officials and EFCC operatives in May 2025 revealed minimal to no substantial progress on the project sites, with most at foundation or early blockwork stages despite the substantial upfront payment.
The state accused the firm's CEO, Olasijibomi Ogundele (widely known as Sujimoto), of abandoning the sites, diverting funds, and engaging in money laundering.Following a petition from the Enugu State Government, the EFCC declared Ogundele wanted in September 2025, froze related accounts, seized his international passport, and later secured a court order for his detention to aid investigations.
Ogundele denied the allegations, describing the issue as a contractual misunderstanding exacerbated by inflation and underpricing, and insisted he was neither a thief nor a fugitive.In October 2025, Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah expressed optimism about full recovery, noting that some repayments had begun and praising the EFCC's handling of the case.
Enugu authorities have maintained that the state remains determined to recover every kobo, with mechanisms in place to prevent loss of taxpayer money in large-scale projects.
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