EFCC Hands Over ₦1.28bn Recovered From Sujimoto to Enugu Government

ENUGU, Nigeria – In a major breakthrough for public accountability, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, officially handed over a total of ₦1,284,350,000 in recovered funds to the Enugu State Government.

​The money was recovered from Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited and its Group Managing Director, Dr. Olasijibomi Ogundele, following the company’s failure to execute a contract for the construction of 22 “Smart Green Schools” across the state.

​The Road to Recovery

​The handover ceremony, held at the EFCC’s Enugu Zonal Directorate, follows a year-long saga that began with a petition filed by the state government in February 2025. According to the petition, Sujimoto was awarded a massive contract worth over ₦11.4 billion and was mobilized with an advance payment of ₦2,289,186,190.

​However, by the contract’s completion deadline of January 2, 2025, investigators found that the project remained largely unexecuted. The state alleged an “irremediable breach” and the diversion of public funds into uses unconnected to the school projects.

​”The persistent non-performance of the contractor is clear evidence of intention to defraud the state government,” the petitioner stated, prompting the EFCC’s Special Task Fraud Section to swing into action.

​Restitution and Warnings

​Representing EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede, the Enugu Zonal Director, Commander Daniel Isei, presented the bank drafts to state officials. He clarified that while ₦1.23 billion was the initial recovery, an additional ₦50 million had been secured, bringing the current total to ₦1.28 billion.

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​”The EFCC will ensure that every act contrary to the law is dealt with, and where possible, restitution is made to the victim,” Isei said. He further warned that this handover does not mark the end of the case. “Where cases of criminality are established, the EFCC will take further steps of prosecution. Every kobo must be accounted for.”

​Enugu Government Reacts

​Receiving the funds on behalf of the state, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, lauded the commission for its “professional posture” despite public distractions. He emphasized that the administration of Governor Peter Mbah remains committed to its education reform plan, noting that the recovered funds will be immediately reinvested into the state’s infrastructure.

​This recovery serves as a stark warning to contractors handling public projects. The EFCC has reiterated that it will continue to monitor compliance with the Procurement Act, ensuring that transparency and integrity remain the standard for government contracts.