Following an alleged breach by Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited to the Enugu State government regarding the construction of 22 smart schools, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) announced it had received the sum of 1.2 billion back from Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited.
In line with its unwavering commitment to combat corruption, economic and financial crimes, and the recovery of public funds misappropriated or unused by deceptive actors, the Commission’s statement on Wednesday added that the recovered funds have been handed over to the Enugu government.
The Commission stated that the investigation was initiated after receiving a petition claiming Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited’s allegedly fraudulent act in connection with the state’s 22 smart school construction on February 11, 2025.
The petitioner claimed that Ogundele received a sum of N2 billion (Two billion, Two hundred and eighty-nine million, One hundred and eighty-six thousand, One hundred and ninety Naira) as an advance fee for the construction of the 22 smart schools in the State while identifying one Dr. Olasijibomi Ogundele as the Group Managing Director of Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited.
The contractor’s persistent nonperformance, as shown by the documents, is clear evidence of the state government’s intention to defraud, as the contract awards stated that lapsed on January 2nd, 2025.
According to the petitioner, “We identify Ogundele as the Group Managing Director of the company and jointly liable for the refund of the state funds” following an irreparable breach of the contract and the redirection of the project funds toward personal or other purposes unrelated to the contract, as the petitioner was quoted as saying by EFCC.
The Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Commission took action in response to the petition, and the state government received a sum of N1, 234, 350, 000 (One billion, 2 300, 34 million, 300, fifty thousand Naira).
The Commission’s Zonal Director, Enugu Zonal Directorate, and CE Daniel Isei, the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to recovering public funds during the handing over.
The EFCC will make sure that any acts that are against the law are corrected and, where possible, that the victim receives restitution.
It is on this basis that we as a state government were informed that a case required that EFCC handle as required by law.
He said, “We are pleased to tell you that we were able to recover some of the money that Sujimoto Construction received.”
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Olukoyede stated that the Commission will examine every aspect of the petition against Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited and ensure that every kobo of the Enugu State government that is not accounted for is traced, tracked, and recovered while cautioning contractors, especially those entrusted with public funds to be mindful of the Procurement Act and be guided by integrity when handling public funds.
The EFCC will pursue legal action where necessary. That needs to be understood clearly.
Source: Channels TV
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