N5.7bn Contract: EFCC Obtains Court Order to Detain Sujimoto CEO

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has successfully obtained a court order to detain Sijibomi Ogundele, the Chief Executive Officer of Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited, over an alleged ₦5.7 billion unexecuted Smart Green School contract.

According to EFCC investigations, Ogundele is accused of failing to deliver 22 Smart Green School projects in Enugu State, despite reportedly receiving ₦5.7 billion from the state government.

EFCC’s Investigation into the ₦5.7 Billion Contract

Sources within the EFCC confirmed that Ogundele is currently in custody as investigators attempt to trace how the funds were spent without visible progress on the contract. Reports also indicate that the Commission may seek another court order to confiscate funds in both Ogundele’s personal and corporate bank accounts, which were earlier frozen.

A top EFCC official disclosed that the remand order was secured through a Magistrate Court to allow investigators to complete their probe. Notably, Ogundele’s accounts had already been frozen, and his international passport was seized to prevent him from leaving the country while the matter remains under investigation.

The source explained that there is documented proof that the sum of ₦5.7 billion was released to Sujimoto Construction. The EFCC is also in possession of the signed contract terms and supporting documents showing Ogundele’s failure to fulfill his contractual obligations.

The official added:

“He is expected to provide a clear explanation of how he used the ₦5.7 billion or refund the funds to the state. His case looks straightforward.”

Next Steps in EFCC’s Case Against Sujimoto CEO

According to the EFCC, Ogundele will soon be interrogated alongside top officials of the Enugu State Government as part of the ongoing investigation.

The anti-graft agency had earlier declared Ogundele wanted for alleged money laundering. In his defense on social media, Ogundele claimed that the contract was underpriced and blamed inflation for his inability to execute the projects.

However, the Enugu State Government dismissed his claims, accusing him of absconding after receiving ₦5.7 billion, which represented a 50% mobilization fee, to deliver the 22 schools within six months beginning in February 2025.

Enugu State Government’s Position

The government insisted that instead of delivering on the project, Ogundele engaged inexperienced workers and substandard engineers whose work failed to meet structural standards.

A statement from the government revealed:

• ₦5,762,565,475.25 was released to fast-track the projects.
• None of the ongoing work met the required structural integrity.
• Ogundele allegedly abandoned the sites, ignored calls and official messages, and failed to attend contractors’ periodic project briefings.

Government officials further confirmed that an inspection by EFCC officers and the Ministry of Works on May 8 and 9, 2025, showed that almost no meaningful construction progress had been made one year after the contract award. Some sites did not even undergo proper excavation.

Due to this, the state government retook the sites and handed them over to other contractors, who had to restart the construction process from scratch.

Proof of Successful Smart Green School Projects

To counter Ogundele’s claims, the Enugu State Government presented evidence of other contractors who delivered similar projects within the required time frame.

For instance, Benneth Nwatu, MD/CEO of Ever Progressive Integrated Resources Venture, confirmed that his company successfully executed several Smart Green School projects, including:

• Ugwuomu Nike
• Queens School
• Inyi in Oji River

According to Nwatu:

“When we delivered the Queens School project within six months, the government awarded us more jobs. Currently, our projects at Ekulu Girls and Iva Valley are near completion.”

This testimony demonstrates that while other contractors adhered to the contract requirements and timelines, Sujimoto Luxury Construction allegedly abandoned the ₦5.7 billion Smart Green School project, leaving Enugu State with unfinished foundations and wasted funds.