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N11.45bn Enugu Smart Schools Project: Civil Society Group Indicts Sujimoto, Demands EFCC Probe

Published

1 year ago

September 10, 2025

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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Foreign news

Algeria’s Glorious Revolution: Embassy Marks 72nd Anniversary in Abuja

Published

1 day ago

November 12, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Embassy of Algeria in Nigeria has commemorated the 72nd anniversary of the country’s Glorious Revolution of November 1, 1954, with a reception in Abuja, highlighting Algeria’s liberation struggle and strengthening diplomatic relations with Nigeria.

The event, held on November 9, 2026, at Continental Suites Hotel, attracted prominent personalities, including the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr Tajudeen Abbas, members of the Federal Government, senior government officials, heads of diplomatic missions and other friends of Algeria.

Speaking at the reception, Algeria’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Hocine Mezoued, welcomed guests and paid tribute to the country’s freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives during the struggle for independence.

He described the November 1, 1954 revolution as the foundation of modern Algeria, noting that the sacrifices of the nation’s martyrs made it possible for the country to reclaim its sovereignty.

On Algeria’s development agenda, Mezoued said President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s administration had continued to pursue economic reforms, diversification and national development under its New Algeria vision.

He noted that the country was recording progress in non-hydrocarbon exports, while improvements in the business environment had boosted investor confidence and attracted significant foreign investments.

On foreign policy, the ambassador reaffirmed Algeria’s commitment to non-interference, respect for national sovereignty, peaceful conflict resolution and the right of peoples to self-determination.

Addressing security challenges in the Sahel, he stressed that lasting peace could not be achieved through military measures alone, insisting that economic development, inclusive dialogue and peaceful resolution of disputes remained essential.

Turning to Nigeria-Algeria relations, Mezoued described the partnership as one founded on shared values and the commitment of both countries’ leaders to advancing African development.

He identified the Trans-Saharan Highway, Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline and Trans-Saharan Fibre Optic Backbone as major strategic projects receiving attention from both countries.

The ambassador also disclosed that Algeria had continued to provide scholarships to Nigerian students to strengthen human capital development and capacity building.

He further announced that Air Algérie expanded its Nigerian operations on October 26, 2026, with the introduction of two weekly flights to Lagos, expressing confidence that the service would boost trade and tourism.

Looking ahead, Mezoued said 2027 would offer fresh opportunities to deepen bilateral cooperation, particularly through the fifth Joint High Bi-National Commission scheduled to hold in Abuja.

He expressed optimism that the meeting would provide an opportunity to assess existing partnerships, identify new areas of cooperation and move Nigeria-Algeria relations towards a more practical and results-driven phase.

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