Enugu govt accuses Sujimoto CEO Olasijibomi Ogundele of ₦5.7bn fraud in Smart Green Schools project. EFCC investigates as projects remain abandoned.

 

The Enugu State Government has openly accused the Chief Executive Officer of Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited, Mr. Olasijibomi Ogundele, of masterminding a massive fraud running into billions of naira. The government alleges that the Lagos-based luxury real estate mogul collected ₦5.7 billion upfront for the construction of 22 Smart Green Schools across different parts of the state, only to disappear and abandon the projects. Naijajistreal96 reports that this allegation has sparked outrage among residents, stakeholders, and education advocates, who had placed high expectations on the Smart Schools initiative designed to upgrade the learning environment for Enugu children.

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According to documents made public by the Enugu State Government, on July 2, 2024, a contract worth ₦11,457,930,950.52 was awarded to Sujimoto Luxury Construction Ltd. The contract, which was expected to be completed in six months, focused solely on the construction of the school buildings, leaving the furnishing and equipping to follow afterward. Given the urgency of the project, the state government released 50 percent of the contract sum (₦5,762,565,475.25) to Sujimoto as mobilization funds. The intention was to ensure rapid progress at the sites to meet the September 2025 school resumption deadline. Unfortunately, Naijajistreal96 gathered that the expectations of speedy delivery were dashed when the contractor allegedly engaged in fraudulent practices, mismanaged funds, and eventually abandoned the projects.

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Rather than deploying experts, qualified engineers, and experienced construction hands, Ogundele reportedly hired unskilled laborers and quack builders who could not meet the required structural standards. Site inspections revealed glaring irregularities: incomplete foundations, improper excavation, and in many cases, no visible work done despite the release of billions of naira. In a strongly worded statement, the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Dr. Malachy Agbo, described the Sujimoto boss as deliberately deceptive. He accused Ogundele of premeditated fraud, stressing that the entire arrangement from the onset suggested that he never intended to deliver on the contract. Naijajistreal96 reports that the government also discovered a questionable financial move. While Ogundele presented a performance bond from Jaiz Bank to secure the contract, he directed the actual payment into Sujimoto’s Zenith Bank account (1312731196). This, officials argue, was a calculated ploy to frustrate any legal action against Jaiz Bank when the project failed.

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The statement revealed that Ogundele not only failed to show progress on the projects but also completely cut off communication with the government. He ignored official invitations to attend periodic contractor meetings, refused to answer calls, and snubbed messages from state authorities. Dr. Agbo explained that he practically vanished into thin air after collecting the money and all attempts to bring him to a roundtable discussion proved abortive. This shocking development forced the Enugu State Government to petition the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to step in and recover the funds.

On May 8 and 9, 2025, a joint team from the EFCC and the Enugu Ministry of Works visited the 22 project sites. Their findings reportedly exposed the full scale of the fraud. According to Naijajistreal96 reports, most sites showed little to no significant construction activity even one year after the award of the contract. In some locations, only superficial excavation had been done, while in others, not a single block was laid despite billions being paid out. These revelations confirmed the government’s suspicion of deliberate fraud and negligence.

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To prevent further setbacks, the government has reallocated the Smart Green Schools project to other reputable firms. The new contractors are said to have resumed work, starting construction afresh at many of the abandoned sites. Officials reassured parents and stakeholders that despite the challenges, the Mbah administration remains determined to deliver the Smart Green Schools initiative before September 2025. The project is considered a critical step in improving the quality of education and aligning Enugu schools with modern global standards.

News of the alleged fraud has triggered widespread anger among residents and education stakeholders in Enugu. Many citizens took to social media, expressing disappointment that such a vital project could be jeopardized by corruption. Naijajistreal96 observed that some residents are demanding the immediate arrest and prosecution of Ogundele, describing the scandal as “a betrayal of public trust” and “an assault on the future of Enugu children.” Others are calling for tighter monitoring of contractors and stronger accountability measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

In its statement, the government made it clear that it would stop at nothing to recover the stolen funds. It also warned citizens not to be deceived by any public sympathy tactics or excuses Ogundele might attempt. The Commissioner stated that Nigerians should disregard his theatrics and crocodile tears and that the Enugu State Government is determined to recover every penny belonging to Ndi Enugu that was fraudulently obtained by Mr. Olasijibomi Ogundele of Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited. Naijajistreal96 reports that with the EFCC now fully involved, the case is expected to take center stage in Nigeria’s anti-corruption spotlight in the coming weeks.

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