The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has officially declared Olasijibomi “Suji” Ogundele, CEO of Sujimoto Luxury Construction, wanted over allegations of diversion of funds and money laundering tied to a controversial Enugu State contract. The anti-graft agency is urging anyone with credible information about his whereabouts to report to any EFCC office nationwide.
The case centers on a ₦11.46 billion contract awarded in July 2024 by the Enugu State Government for the construction of 22 “Smart Green Schools.” Ogundele’s firm received a 50% payment of approximately ₦5.76 billion to begin work. Court-mandated inspections in May 2025 revealed that minimal or no construction had been carried out, indicating that the funds were allegedly misappropriated.
According to the state government, Ogundele reportedly vanished after receiving the payment. He had secured the contract with a bond from Jaiz Bank and directed public funds into a Sujimoto Zenith Bank account registered under the Ministry of Works, rendering the bond ineffective for accountability. This prompted Enugu authorities to reclaim the sites and reassign them to new contractors.
In response, Ogundele has publicly denied any wrongdoing. In a video message, he called the allegations untrue, referring to himself as “not a thief or a fugitive,” and stated his intention to appear before the EFCC to clear his name. He attributed the fallout to disagreements with the state government and inflation-driven delays in construction.
This case follows a separate matter where Ogundele was detained in October 2024 by the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) in Abuja over an alleged $325,000 property fraud, though that case resulted in bail and remains unresolved.
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