A coalition of civil society organisations under the umbrella of the Global Gender Safety and Moral Development (GGSMD) has accused Mr Sijibomi Ogundele, Chief Executive of Sujimoto Luxury Construction Ltd, of allegedly misappropriating the over ₦11.45 billion meant for the construction of 22 Smart Schools in Enugu State.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday in Abuja, the Executive Director of GGSMD, Comrade Godwin Erheriene, called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other relevant security agencies to launch a thorough investigation into the matter.

According to him, it was suspicious and fraudulent for the contractor to present a bond from Jaiz Bank for the project, only to later receive payments through a Zenith Bank account.

The statement reads, “This conference has become necessary given recent developments in Enugu State. If left unchecked, they will not only affect hardworking indigenous contractors but also tarnish Nigeria’s image before the international community.

“The persistent fraudulent activities carried out by Sijibomi Ogundele, owner of Sujimoto Luxury Construction Ltd, have become alarming. If the EFCC and other law enforcement agencies fail to act, more Nigerians will continue to fall victim to his sharp practices.

“For clarity, on 2 July 2024, the Enugu State Government awarded Sujimoto Luxury Construction Ltd a contract worth ₦11,457,930,950.52 for the construction of 22 Smart Schools (buildings only), with a six-month completion timeline. The government also paid ₦5,762,565,475.25, representing 50 per cent of the total contract sum, to fast-track the projects.

“However, rather than adhere to the terms of the contract, Sujimoto delivered substandard work using unqualified engineers. None of the sites met structural specifications, and he eventually abandoned them. All government attempts to engage him failed, leaving the Enugu State Government with no option but to petition the EFCC.

“When a joint team from the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure and the EFCC inspected the 22 project sites in May 2025, they confirmed that minimal or no significant work had been done, one year after the contract award.

“It is troubling that, while Sujimoto presented a Jaiz Bank bond, he used Zenith Bank account 1312731196 to collect and divert funds meant for the projects. This act demonstrates a clear intent to defraud the state from the outset.

“What could be more fraudulent than presenting Jaiz Bank as a bond while secretly using Zenith Bank to collect funds from the same transaction—without the knowledge of the Enugu State Government?

“We therefore call on the EFCC to ensure that every penny collected by Sijibomi Ogundele through Sujimoto Luxury Construction Ltd is recovered in the interest of the good people of Enugu State.”

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