The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured a court order to detain Sijibomi Ogundele, CEO of Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited, over an alleged N5.7 billion contract scam
Ogundele is under investigation for allegedly failing to deliver 22 Smart Green School projects in Enugu State despite reportedly receiving N5.7 billion as 50 percent mobilization fee from the state government.
EFCC sources confirmed that Ogundele is currently in custody and being interrogated to explain how the funds were spent or refund the money. The Commission had previously frozen his personal and company accounts and seized his international passport to restrict his movement.
Investigators say they are in possession of the contract documents and evidence showing non-compliance with the agreed terms. The EFCC may also seek a court order to confiscate the frozen funds if investigations warrant forfeiture.
Ogundele, who was declared wanted two weeks ago for alleged money laundering, has claimed on X that the contract was underpriced and blamed inflation for his inability to complete the project.
The Enugu State government, however, accused him of abandoning the projects after collecting the mobilization fee. According to the state, Ogundele carried out substandard work, used unqualified workers, failed to attend project briefings, and ignored all attempts at dialogue.
A government statement said: “The Enugu State Government paid N5,762,565,475.25 to fast-track the projects. Instead of delivering, Mr. Ogundele vanished with the money. Joint inspections by the Ministry of Works and the EFCC revealed minimal or no significant work done one year after the contract award. The government has since reassigned the projects to other contractors, who are delivering quality jobs.”
Photos released by the state show most of the project sites still at foundation level, while other contractors have completed similar projects.
Benneth Nwatu, MD/CEO of Ever Progressive Integrated Resources Venture, one of the contractors executing Smart Green School projects, said: “We completed the Smart Green School at Ugwuomu Nike, Queens School, and Inyi in Oji River. When we delivered Queens School in six months, the government awarded us more jobs, which are also near completion.”
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