The Nigerian internet space went agog when an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) mugshot of renowned real estate magnet, Olasijibomi Ogundele of Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited, went viral.
The viral mugshot was followed by a viral video of the accused Sujimoto, wanted for fraud and Money laundering, shedding tears and explaining his side of the story. The two developments polarised the Nigerian internet space as netizens picked sides, airing their opinions on the issue.
INFOEAST went on a fact-finding mission, gathering facts on the development from credible sources to inform our readers on the basics of the issue and the latest developments as well.
Here are 10 key Facts to note from the Enugu Government and Sujimoto Business fallout leading to the involvement of the EFCC.
- The Enugu State Government embarked on an ambitious project known as the Smart Green School Initiative. The project aims to build 260 smart schools for the 260 political wards in the state. The project is currently ongoing, although complaints and criticism about the substandard nature of some of the school buildings are on the rise.
- The Enugu Government awarded 22 schools out of the 260 to Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited for a total of N11,457,930,950.52 for a project duration of 6 months.
- The Enugu State Government paid the sum of N5,762,565,475.25 to Sujimoto, representing 50 per cent of the contract sum, to fast-track the projects at all the sites.
- According to Mr Malachy Agbo, commissioner of information for Enugu State, Sujimoto, on receiving the funds, employed quack engineers who were delivering shoddy and substandard school buildings. The quality of the Sujimoto buildings was a far cry from the standard set by the Enugu state Government for the schools.
- In a surprising turn of events, Mr Ogundele vanished with 50% of the contract sum, refusing to visit Enugu or attend meetings organised by the Enugu Government for the stakeholders of the project.
- Efforts to reach Mr Ogundele proved abortive as he wasn’t answering his calls and messages, prompting the Enugu State government to petition the EFCC on the matter.
- The EFCC, after a tour of the abandoned sites by Sujimoto, declared him wanted for fraud and money laundering, releasing his mugshot to the general public. The joint investigation also revealed that Sujimoto had a premeditated motive to defraud the Enugu Government by presenting a different account number from the one he used to obtain bonds for the project.
- The Enugu state government, in its statement, reiterated that it is determined to recover every penny paid to Ogundele of Sujimoto at all costs, telling Nigerians to disregard his Crocodile tears.
- Mr Ogundele, in response to the accusations, seems to be playing the pity card. He shared that he had an accident in Enugu, and all the other stories saying very little about the details of project or confirming or denying Enugu State’s side of the story.
This is a developing story ……
