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Fraud

Enugu State Government Accuses Sujimoto Luxury Construction of N5.7 Billion Fraud

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Enugu State Government has accused Chief Executive Officer of Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited, Olasijibomi Ogundele, of allegedly defrauding the state of N5.7 billion. The government claimed that Ogundele absconded after being paid the N5.7 billion for the construction of 22 Smart Green Schools in different parts of Enugu State. According to the government, Ogundele used a company bank account registered with the state's Ministry of Works and Infrastructure to receive the payment, making it impossible for the state government to hold the bank liable.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Enugu State Government paid Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited N5,762,565,475.25, representing 50% of the contract sum, to fast-track the construction of 22 Smart Green Schools.
  • The government claimed that Ogundele used inexperienced workers and quack engineers to do shoddy jobs and resorted to abandoning the sites, leaving the state with no choice but to petition the EFCC to recover the funds.
  • A joint team of officers from the Enugu State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure and the EFCC visited the 22 sites in May 2025 and found minimal to no significant work done.
  • In some cases, Ogundele allegedly did not do excavation for all the blocks in the site.
  • The state government has handed over the sites to new firms, who have to start the construction afresh.
  • The Enugu State Government is determined to recover every penny of Ndi Enugu fraudulently obtained by Ogundele (Sujimoto).

Statistics:

  • N5,762,565,475.25: The amount paid to Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited by the Enugu State Government.
  • 22: The number of Smart Green Schools (contracted by Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited, which are still outstanding).
  • 50%: The percentage of the contract sum paid to Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited by the Enugu State Government.
  • N11.4 billion: The contract value awarded to Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited for the construction of 22 Smart Green Schools.
  • 6 months: The initial timeframe for the completion of the projects, starting from the date of acceptance of the award on July 2, 2024.
  • N7,000: The price of a bag of cement at the time of taking the contract.
  • N10,000: The price of a bag of cement by the time the project was completed.
  • September 2025: The initial expected completion date for the Smart Green Schools projects.
  • May 8 and 9, 2025: The dates when a joint team of officers from the Enugu State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure and the EFCC visited the 22 sites.

Sources:

  • Enugu State Government's statement on the alleged fraud by Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited.
  • Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) declaration of Olasijibomi Ogundele wanted over alleged diversion of funds and money laundering.

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