(DDM) – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has obtained a court order to detain Mr. Sijibomi Ogundele, Chief Executive Officer of Sujimoto Construction Limited, over allegations of contract fraud running into billions of naira.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the case revolves around the alleged abandonment of a multi-billion naira contract for the construction of 22 Smart Green Schools across Enugu State.
The contract, reportedly valued at ₦5.7 billion, was part of the state government’s ambitious education transformation agenda.
According to officials, Sujimoto Construction collected 50 percent mobilisation fees, amounting to over ₦2.8 billion, but allegedly failed to deliver on the projects.
The Enugu State Government accused the company of employing unqualified engineers, executing poor foundation works, and disappearing from sites after initial groundwork.
A joint inspection carried out in May by EFCC operatives and Enugu government officials revealed that most of the 22 sites had either been abandoned at foundation level or left completely untouched.
The report noted that nearly one year after the contract was awarded, no meaningful progress was made on any of the projects, raising suspicions of deliberate sabotage.
The Enugu State Government said it had already re-awarded the contracts to new construction firms, some of whom are reportedly ahead of schedule and delivering higher-quality work.
Officials further emphasised that the abandoned projects delayed the state’s vision of equipping students with 21st-century learning facilities.
The EFCC insisted that its investigations showed clear evidence of contract abandonment despite substantial mobilisation funds being released to Sujimoto Construction.
The anti-graft agency has now secured a detention order to question Ogundele alongside several Enugu State officials believed to have been involved in the contract process.
Ogundele, however, has publicly denied wrongdoing, describing the allegations as unfair and politically motivated.
In a statement posted online, he blamed inflation, rising cost of materials, and underpricing during bidding as major reasons for the delay.
He insisted that his company had never been involved in fraudulent activities and that efforts were being made to renegotiate terms with the government.
The EFCC rejected the defence, stating that other contractors working on similar projects under the same conditions have been able to meet deadlines without defaulting.
Analysts say the case has stirred nationwide debate on how state governments award contracts, the transparency of procurement processes, and the competence of contractors.
Civil society groups have also called for stricter monitoring mechanisms to prevent contractors from abandoning public projects after pocketing huge mobilisation funds.
As Ogundele faces imminent detention and interrogation, many Nigerians are watching closely to see whether the case will mark a turning point in the fight against contract fraud.
For residents of Enugu State, the scandal represents another setback in the struggle to reform education and provide students with modern infrastructure.
Observers argue that the handling of this case will either reinforce public trust in the EFCC or reignite concerns over selective prosecution in high-profile fraud allegations.