Enugu State Alleges Sujimoto CEO Ogundele Defrauded N5.7 Billion Over Smart Schools Project

The Enugu State Government has officially accused Olasijibomi Ogundele, CEO of Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited, of defrauding the state of approximately N5.7 billion in connection to a major educational infrastructure project. The contract, worth over N11.4 billion, was awarded on July 2, 2024, for the construction of 22 Smart Green Schools across the state, with a six-month completion timeline starting from the contract acceptance date.

The government disclosed that it paid Ogundele’s company 50 percent of the contract sum upfront to expedite work on the sites. However, instead of delivering quality structures within the stipulated period, Ogundele allegedly abandoned the project sites, employing unqualified workers and delivering substandard work that failed to meet required structural standards.

Following the contractor’s disappearance and refusal to attend scheduled progress briefings or respond to official communications, the Enugu State Government petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate. A joint site inspection by Enugu State Ministry of Works officers and EFCC personnel on May 8-9, 2025, revealed little to no significant progress. In some locations, no excavation had been done at all.

The government’s investigations further exposed that Ogundele presented a security bond from Jaiz Bank to secure the contract but received payments through Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited’s Zenith Bank account. The funds were reportedly withdrawn without being deployed to the intended construction works, indicating a deliberate attempt to defraud the state from the contract’s inception.

In light of these findings, the state government has repossessed the sites and assigned new contractors to restart the projects from scratch. The administration stresses its commitment to completing the Smart Green Schools initiative by the September 2025 school resumption and recovering all funds lost to Ogundele’s alleged fraud.

The Commissioner for Information and Communication, Dr. Malachy Agbo, urged the public to disregard any attempts by the accused to mislead or elicit sympathy, stating resolutely that the government will pursue full restitution through all available legal channels.

In response, Ogundele released a video denying the allegations, asserting his intention to cooperate with the EFCC to clear his name. He attributed the contract difficulties to rising construction material costs and a breakdown in relations with the state government but denied any wrongdoing.

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This controversy follows earlier reports of structural failures and substandard work on other Smart Green School sites, which led to contract terminations and rebuilding efforts. The government has since implemented rigorous monitoring mechanisms to avoid future lapses and uphold quality standards in ongoing projects.

The ongoing investigation and legal proceedings continue to unfold as the state government seeks justice and accountability in the management of public funds.