The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has obtained a court order to detain Sijibomi Ogundele, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited, in light of an alleged ₦5.7 billion contract scam.
Ogundele had been awarded a contract by the Enugu State Government to build 22 “Smart Green Schools,” which were all publicly financed. The government paid to Ogundele, 50 percent of the sum for the contract in the form of a mobilisation fee, but officials argue that the construction work was poorly executed, if performed at all.
EFCC investigations discovered that many of the project sites were abandoned almost immediately after they were ordered to commence. Some sites only had foundation work completed, while others were little more than damp-proof course construction. Ogundele is accused of ignoring repeated requests for progress reports on the school building sites, as well as orders to return to the site.
The EFCC declared Ogundele wanted on 5 September, after Ogundele failed to respond to several invitations over several months to at least discuss his company’s contract with the State..All his company’s and personally accounts along with his international passport were frozen as part of the investigation prior to this declaration.
However, Ogundele claimed that there was no wrongdoing on his part in carrying out the contracts. The price was too low, and he blamed inflation for his inability to complete the defective work. He also suggests meeting with the Enugu state government to address their concerns about the project, if they want a resolution.
Despite Ogundele’s defense of the project, the EFCC’s actions in connection with the alleged breach of a public procurement contract were legal. A magistrate court has now ordered that Ogundele be detained until the EFCC investigation is concluded. The EFCC stated he either needed to account for the mobilisation funds or return the funds.
Meanwhile, the Enugu State Government has taken over the affected project sites and assigned them to new contractors to ensure that the schools are built properly.
Ogundele sees his detention as yet another high-profile test of Nigeria’s commitment to combating alleged corruption and mismanagement of public projects.
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