Thursday, January 22, 2026 - The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, handed over the sum of N1, 234,350,000 (One Billion, Two Hundred and Thirty-four Million, Three Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) recovered from Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited to the Enugu state government.
A statement from the agency says the money was recovered
after the company failed to honour the agreement between it and the state to
construct 22 smart schools in the state.
The Commission said it had received a petition, dated
February 11, 2025 wherein it was notified of Sujimoto Luxury Construction
Limited’s alleged fraudulent act, regarding the construction of 22 smart
schools in the state.
‘’While
identifying one Dr. Olasijibomi Ogundele as the Group Managing Director of
Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited, the petitioner alleged that the sum of
N2, 289, 186, 190. 00 (Two billion, Two hundred and eighty-nine million, One
hundred and eighty-six thousand, One hundred and ninety Naira) was paid to
Ogundele as an advance fee for the construction of the 22 smart schools in the
State.
As the
completion date stated in the contract awards lapsed on 2nd January 2025, the
persistent nonperformance of the contractor as shown by the documents, is clear
evidence of intention to defraud the state government. We identify Ogundele as
the Group Managing Director of the company and jointly liable for the refund of
the state funds, following an irremediable breach of the terms of the contract
and diversion of the project funds towards personal or other uses unconnected
to the contract” the petitioner said.
Reacting to the petition, the agency in its statement said
its operatives of the Special Task Fraud Section attached to the Enugu Zonal
Directorate of the Commission, swung into action and the sum of N1, 234,350,000
(One billion, Two hundred and thirty-four million, Three hundred and fifty
thousand Naira) was recovered for the state government.
Representing the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Ola
Olukoyede during the handing over, the Zonal Director, Enugu Zonal Directorate
of the Commission, Commander of the EFCC, CE Daniel Isei reiterated the
Commission’s commitment to recovering public funds. “Where there are
instances of economic and financial crimes against an individual or an agency
of government, against government itself, the EFCC will ensure that every act
that is contrary to law is dealt with, and where possible, restitution is made
to the victim. It is on this basis that we received your petition as a state
government that there was a case that needed EFCC to do as mandated by law. We
are glad to announce to you that in doing our job, we have been able to recover
some of those monies that were given to Sujimoto Construction”, he said.
While warning contractors, especially those entrusted with
public funds to be mindful of the Procurement Act and be guided by integrity
while handling public funds, Olukoyede said that the Commission
will look at every facet of the petition against Sujimoto Luxury Construction
Limited and ensure that every kobo of Enugu State government that is not
accounted for, is traced, tracked, and recovered.
“Where cases
of criminality are established, the EFCC will take further steps of
prosecution. That must be clearly understood. For us, we will continue to
expect that people align their activities to processes and procedures.
People must work clearly in line with extant laws, particularly the Procurement
Act. Also, it is very important that where due diligence is applied in
all cases, prevention will come into play.
I advise
that we continue to entrench professionalism in all that we do and on the part
of other Nigerians that will be doing contracts for local governments, state or
the federal governments to ensure that they are always guided by integrity,
accountability and transparency in all they do. Every public fund that is given
out must be adequately utilized or accounted for, else, the EFCC will move in
and ensure that issues of economic and financial crimes are speedily dealt
with”, he said.
Receiving the draft on behalf of the Enugu State Government,
Onyia lauded the Commission for its professionalism and dedication exhibited
while recovering the money. He noted that when the state submitted the
petition, there were lots of distractions in the public space but the EFCC
maintained its professional posture, followed the money and thorough
investigations were done. “EFCC, we thank you for being very focused on
helping us recover this fund. This, for us, is a remarkable testimony of
intergovernmental collaboration and transparency”, he said.
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