The Economic and Financial Crime Commission, in line with its commitment to fight corruption and recovery of public funds, has handed over the sum of N1, 234,350,000 forfeited from Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited to the Enugu State government.

According to a Wednesday statement shared on the official X handle, the money recovered from Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited was for failure to honour the agreement between the company and Enugu State over the construction of 22 smart schools in the state.

The statement revealed that the Commission had received a petition, dated February 11, 2025, wherein it was notified of Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited’s alleged fraudulent act, regarding the construction of 22 smart schools in the state.

While identifying one Dr Olasijibomi Ogundele as the Group Managing Director of Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited, the petitioner alleged that the sum of N2, 289, 186, 190. 00 was paid to Ogundele as an advance fee for the construction of the 22 smart schools in the State.

“As the completion date stated in the contract awards lapsed on 2nd January 2025, the persistent nonperformance of the contractor, as shown by the documents, is clear evidence of intention to defraud the state government. We identify Ogundele as the Group Managing Director of the company and jointly liable for the refund of the state funds, following an irremediable breach of the terms of the contract and diversion of the project funds towards personal or other uses unconnected to the contract,” the petitioner said.

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The statement further revealed that the commission, while reacting to the petition, ordered the operatives of the Special Task Fraud Section attached to the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Commission, to recover the said sum of N1, 234,350,000 from Sujimoto for the state government.

Representing the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, during the handing over, the Zonal Director, Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Commission, Commander of the EFCC, CE Daniel Isei, reiterated the Commission’s commitment to recovering public funds.

“Where there are instances of economic and financial crimes against an individual or an agency of government, against government itself, the EFCC will ensure that every act that is contrary to law is dealt with, and where possible, restitution is made to the victim. It is on this basis that we received your petition as a state government that there was a case that needed EFCC to do as mandated by law. We are glad to announce to you that in doing our job, we have been able to recover some of those monies that were given to Sujimoto Construction”, he said.

While warning contractors, especially those entrusted with public funds, to be mindful of the Procurement Act and be guided by integrity while handling public funds,  Olukoyede said that the Commission will look at every facet of the petition against Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited and ensure that every kobo of Enugu State government that is not accounted for is traced, tracked, and recovered.

“Where cases of criminality are established, the EFCC will take further steps of prosecution. That must be clearly understood. For us, we will continue to expect that people align their activities to processes and procedures.   People must work clearly in line with extant laws, particularly the Procurement Act.  Also, it is very important that where due diligence is applied in all cases, prevention will come into play.”