Enugu Government Vows Relentless Recovery of ₦5.7 Billion Despite Sujimoto's Emotional Appeals

The Enugu State Government is pursuing a legal battle against Olasijibomi Ogundele, the CEO of Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited, over alleged fraudulent activities and breach of contract in the Smart Green Schools project.

On July 2, 2024, the contract for the construction of 22 Smart Schools was awarded to Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited for a total sum of ₦11,457,930,950.52. However, the project was abruptly abandoned, leaving the state government to seek recovery of every penny fraudulently obtained by Ogundele.

The Enugu State Government paid 50% of the contract upfront to accelerate the work, but the project was left unattended. A joint inspection by the Enugu State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on May 8 and 9, 2025, revealed minimal to no significant work done at the Smart Green Schools sites one year after the contract award.

The sites had no excavation done at all, and the structures that were supposed to be built did not meet the structural integrity as specified in the structural drawing, according to the Enugu State Government. The company allegedly deployed inexperienced workers and engineers while producing substandard work.

Olasijibomi Ogundele was declared wanted by the EFCC over alleged money laundering and diversion of funds. Despite this, he received the payment for the Smart Green Schools contract through Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited's account registered with the Ministry of Works, without deploying the funds to the projects.

The Enugu State Government accuses Ogundele of defrauding the state of ₦5.76 billion intended for the construction of 22 Smart Green Schools. The company that received the contract was Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited, but after their breach of contract, new contractors were selected to continue the projects. The specific names of these new contractors are not provided in the available information.

The Enugu State Government has reassigned the Smart Green Schools sites to the new contractors to ensure the completion of the initiative ahead of the 2025 school resumption. In a statement, the Enugu State Government called on Nigerians to disregard Ogundele's public statements, describing them as "theatrics and crocodile tears."

A video surfaced of Ogundele insisting he was not guilty of any crime and was ready to clear his name. However, the Enugu State Government's efforts to engage Ogundele proved unsuccessful, as he allegedly ignored calls, messages, and invitations to periodic project briefings.

As of now, it is unclear if the bond presented by Ogundele from Jaiz Bank was used for the project. The Enugu State Government did not specify whether any legal action has been taken against Ogundele or Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited.