How Sujimoto boss Ogundele defrauded us of N5.7bn – Enugu govt

The Enugu Government has alleged that the embattled boss of Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited, Olasijibomi Ogundele vanished into thin air after collecting nearly N5.7 billion from it being part payment for the construction of 22 Smart Green Schools in different parts of the state.

Enugu government said this in a statement it issued following the declaration of Ogundele wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, early Friday morning over alleged money laundering and find diversion.

The Sujimoto company boss had in reaction to the EFCC declaration made a video in which he bursted into tears while explaining how a contract he had with Enugu State Government went sour.

Ogundele had claimed that the State Government did not release enough funds for him to execute the projects while it dragged him to EFCC.

The Sujimoto company boss had also denied the claim that he was on the run.

But Enugu State Government in a statement on Friday evening urged Nigerians to disregard what it described as “theatrics and crocodile tears,” of Ogundele over the failed contract issue.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Enugu State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Dr. Malachy Agbo.

The state government also vowed that it “is determined to and will surely recover every penny of Ndi Enugu fraudulently obtained by Mr. Olasijibomi Ogundele (Sujimoto),” as it explained how the real estate mogul allegedly duped it of the N5.7 billion.

In the statement, Enugu government accused Ogundele of premeditated fraud, with claim that while he presented a bond issued by Jaiz Bank to secure the contract, he used the company’s Zenith Bank account registered with the state’s Ministry of Works and Infrastructure to receive the said payment.

The State Government said this made it impossible for them to hold Jaiz Bank liable when Ogundele defaulted on the contract.

The statement said, “For the avoidance of doubt, on July 2, 2024, the Enugu State Government awarded a contract in the sum of N11,457,930,950.52 to Sujimoto Luxury Construction Ltd for the construction of 22 Smart Schools.