EFCC hands over N1.2billion recovered from Sujimoto to Enugu State Government. Credit: EFCC
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Wednesday handed over N1.28bn recovered from Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited to the Enugu State Government over the failed construction of 22 Smart Green Schools across the state.
The development followed investigations into allegations of fraud, contract breach and diversion of public funds linked to the school construction project.
According to a statement by the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the recovery was initiated after a petition dated February 11, 2025, accused Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited of collecting public funds without delivering on the agreed scope of work.
The petitioner alleged that the Enugu State Government paid a total of N2.29bn as advance payment for the construction of the 22 smart schools, but that the contract completion deadline of January 2, 2025, elapsed without meaningful progress on the project.
The petition identified the company’s Group Managing Director, Olasijibomi Ogundele, and held him jointly liable for the refund of the funds, citing persistent non-performance and the alleged diversion of project funds.
Following the petition, operatives of the EFCC’s Special Task Fraud Section attached to the Enugu Zonal Directorate commenced investigations, which led to the recovery of the funds for the state government.
Presenting the recovered cheques and bank drafts at the EFCC Enugu Zonal Office, the Zonal Director, Commander of the EFCC, Daniel Isei, who represented the Chairman of the Commission, Ola Olukoyede, said the action was in fulfilment of the EFCC’s statutory mandate to trace, recover and return public funds lost to economic and financial crimes.
“As of today, we have recovered drafts amounting to N1,234,350,000 and an additional N50,000,000, bringing the total recovery to N1,284,350,000 for the benefit of the Enugu State Government,” Isei said.
He reaffirmed the Commission’s resolve to ensure accountability in the management of public funds.
“Where there are instances of economic and financial crimes against any level of government, the EFCC will ensure that every act contrary to law is dealt with and that restitution is made to the victim where possible,” he said.
Isei warned contractors handling public projects to strictly comply with the Public Procurement Act and uphold integrity, stressing that the Commission would trace and recover every kobo of Enugu State funds not properly accounted for.
He added that investigations were ongoing and that the handover of funds did not mark the end of the case, noting that prosecution would follow wherever criminal liability is established.
Receiving the recovered funds on behalf of the Enugu State Government, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, commended the EFCC for its professionalism and resilience despite what he described as distractions in the public space surrounding the matter.
“This recovery is a remarkable testimony of intergovernmental collaboration, transparency and accountability,” Onyia said.
He said the action reflected the commitment of the administration of Governor Peter Mbah to the prudent management of public resources and assured that the recovered funds would be reinvested in critical infrastructure projects to improve the welfare of residents.
“When we noticed a misalignment between our developmental objectives and project delivery, we approached the EFCC to help recover the funds,” Onyia said, adding that the state government remained determined to hold defaulting contractors accountable.
The EFCC had on September 5, 2025, declared Ogundele wanted over alleged diversion of funds and money laundering, urging members of the public with credible information on his whereabouts to come forward.
On the same day, Ogundele posted a video on his social media handle, promising to report himself to the EFCC.
In this article