The Enugu State Government has levelled grave accusations of fraud against Olasijibomi Ogundele, the Chief Executive Officer of Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited. The government alleges that Ogundele defrauded the state of N5.76 billion, representing 50% of a contract sum for the construction of 22 Smart Green Schools. The contract, awarded in July 2024, was valued at N11,457,930,950.52 and aimed to deliver modern educational facilities across the state. The upfront payment was intended to expedite the project’s completion in time for the September 2025 school resumption. However, the state government claims Ogundele abandoned the project sites after receiving the funds.
The state government’s statement, released by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Malachy Agbo, details a series of breaches of contract by Ogundele. These include the deployment of inexperienced workers and engineers, resulting in substandard construction that failed to meet the structural integrity standards specified in the project blueprints. Furthermore, the government alleges a pattern of unresponsiveness from Ogundele, claiming he ignored calls, messages, and invitations to essential project briefings, demonstrating a disregard for contractual obligations. His alleged absence during site inspections conducted by law enforcement agencies further solidified the government’s suspicion of fraudulent intent.
The government’s claims are supported by a joint inspection conducted by the state Ministry of Works and Infrastructure and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in May 2025. The inspection reportedly revealed minimal to no significant work done at the project sites, nearly a year after the contract was awarded and the initial payment was made. This lack of progress, coupled with Ogundele’s alleged unresponsiveness, prompted the Enugu State Government to petition the EFCC for the recovery of the disbursed funds. The government’s statement highlights the discrepancy between the bond presented by Ogundele from Jaiz Bank to secure the contract and the subsequent receipt of funds through Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited’s account, suggesting a deliberate plan to misappropriate the funds.
The government’s narrative paints a picture of a calculated scheme by Ogundele to defraud the state. The alleged abandonment of the project sites, the employment of unqualified personnel, the substandard quality of work, and Ogundele’s alleged evasion of communication and oversight all point towards a deliberate breach of trust. The government’s assertion that Ogundele’s actions demonstrate “a premeditated intent to defraud the state ab initio” underscores the severity of the accusations and the government’s determination to pursue legal recourse to recover the misappropriated funds. The statement categorically dismisses Ogundele’s public pronouncements of innocence as mere “theatrics and crocodile tears.”
In the wake of the alleged fraud, the Enugu State Government has taken proactive steps to mitigate the damage and ensure the completion of the Smart Green Schools project. The government has reassigned the contracts to new contractors, demonstrating its commitment to fulfilling its promise of providing modern educational facilities for the benefit of the state’s students. This decisive action underscores the government’s resolve to prioritize the educational needs of its citizens despite the setback caused by the alleged fraudulent activities. The government’s commitment to seeing the project through to completion reinforces its dedication to improving the quality of education in the state.
The ongoing dispute between the Enugu State Government and Olasijibomi Ogundele highlights the complexities and challenges associated with large-scale infrastructure projects. The government’s allegations of fraud underscore the importance of due diligence, transparent contract management, and robust oversight mechanisms in public procurement processes. The case also underscores the need for accountability and the pursuit of justice when public funds are allegedly misappropriated. The government’s determination to recover the funds and complete the project demonstrates its resolve to uphold the public trust and ensure that vital public projects are not derailed by fraudulent activities.
