The Enugu State Government has accused Olasijibomi Suji Ogundele, Chief Executive Officer of Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited, of defrauding the state of N5.7 billion earmarked for the construction of 22 Smart Green Schools.
The allegation was contained in a statement released on Friday by the spokesperson to Governor Peter Mbah. The disclosure follows an earlier notice by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which declared Ogundele wanted over alleged diversion of funds and money laundering.
According to the state government, Ogundele allegedly disappeared after collecting 50 percent of the contract sum, leaving the projects abandoned at preliminary stages. Officials also claimed that instead of utilizing the performance bond issued by Jaiz Bank as agreed, Sujimoto directed payments through its Zenith Bank account, making recovery and enforcement difficult.
“The government and the people of Enugu State have been gravely shortchanged,” the statement read, stressing that the administration remains committed to completing the schools despite setbacks.
The Smart Green Schools initiative is one of Governor Mbah’s flagship education projects, designed to integrate technology and sustainability into basic education across the state.
The EFCC has urged members of the public with information on Ogundele’s whereabouts to contact its Lagos Command or the nearest police station.
