The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has handed over N1.28bn recovered from Olasijibomi Ogundele, the founder of Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited, to the Enugu State Government over the failed construction of 22 Smart Green Schools across the state.
The handover took place on Wednesday at the EFCC Enugu Zonal Office, following 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 followed a petition dated February 11, 2025, which accused Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited of receiving public funds without executing the agreed scope of work.
The petition alleged that the Enugu State Government paid a total of N2.29 billion as advance payment for the construction of the 22 smart schools, but that the January 2, 2025 completion deadline elapsed without any meaningful progress on the project.
The petitioner further identified the company’s Group Managing Director, Olasijibomi Ogundele, holding him jointly liable for the refund of the funds due to 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 culminated in the recovery of the funds for the state government.
While presenting the recovered cheques and bank drafts, the EFCC Enugu Zonal Director, Commander of the EFCC Daniel Isei, who represented the Commission’s Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, said the recovery was in line with the agency’s statutory mandate.
“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 comply strictly with the Public Procurement Act, 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 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 surrounding the matter.
“This recovery is a remarkable testimony of intergovernmental collaboration, transparency, and accountability,” Onyia said.
He noted that the action reflected the commitment of the administration of Governor Peter Mbah to 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 Commission.