The Enugu State Government has recovered ₦1.28 billion from the Chief Executive Officer of Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited, Mr. Olasijibomi Ogundele, following investigations into the alleged diversion of funds meant for the construction of Smart Green Schools in the state.
The recovery was facilitated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after the state government petitioned the anti-graft agency over concerns that funds paid for the school projects were linked to contracts that were abandoned or largely unexecuted.
The recovered sum was formally handed over on Wednesday at the EFCC Enugu Zonal Office through a series of bank drafts and cheques.
Presenting the cheques, EFCC Zonal Director in Enugu, Mr. Daniel Ise, said the recovery aligned with the commission’s statutory mandate to trace, recover, and restitute public funds lost to economic and financial crimes.
According to him, the commission recovered ₦1,234,350,000 through bank drafts, alongside an additional ₦50 million, bringing the total amount recovered to ₦1,284,350,000.
“This recovery followed a petition submitted by the Enugu State Government, which prompted the commission to commence investigations,” Ise said, attributing the progress recorded to the diligence and professionalism of EFCC officers handling the case.
He stressed that the handover of the funds did not signal the end of the investigation, noting that the EFCC would continue to scrutinize all aspects of the petition.
“This does not mark the end of the case. We will look at every facet of the petition to ensure that every kobo belonging to the Enugu State Government that is not accounted for is tracked and recovered,” he said, adding that prosecution would follow where evidence of criminality is established.
Ise also warned contractors to strictly comply with existing laws, particularly the Procurement Act, while reaffirming the EFCC’s commitment to safeguarding public resources through collaboration with governments at all levels.
Receiving the cheques on behalf of the state government, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, commended the EFCC for its professionalism, focus, and resilience despite what he described as “distractions and noise in the public space” surrounding the case.
Onyia said the recovery reflected the Enugu State administration’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and prudent management of public funds, principles he noted are central to the governance philosophy of Governor Peter Mbah.
He assured residents that the recovered funds would be reinvested in infrastructure projects aimed at improving the quality of life in the state.
“When there was a misalignment between our intent to use taxpayers’ money for development and what we saw in terms of delivery, we approached the EFCC to help us recover the funds,” Onyia said. “Today marks the beginning of that recovery process, and we are pleased with the outcome so far.”
The SSG disclosed that the state government had instituted legal action against the contractor and formally petitioned the EFCC to allow due process to run its full course, while investigations remain ongoing.
He reiterated the government’s resolve to hold all contractors accountable, warning that any firm that fails to deliver value for public funds would face appropriate legal consequences in line with the advice of the state’s legal authorities.