Indications have emerged that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Monday, grilled the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited, Sijibomi Ogundele, in Abuja over alleged diversion of about N5.7 billion belonging to Enugu state.
Blueprint.ng reports that EFCC in a press statement by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, last week, declared Ogundele wanted in an alleged case of diversion of funds and money laundering, and urged members of the public with credible information about his whereabouts to report to its offices or the nearest police station.
The anti-graft body froze the CEO’s accounts and that of his company pending the outcome of preliminary investigation.
Blueprint.ng correspondent reports that operatives of the Commission continued drilling the embattled CEO late Monday night.
The Enugu state government accused Ogundele of defrauding the state of N5.7 billion paid for the construction of 22 Smart Green Schools across the state, even as the state alleged that the CEO vanished after receiving 50% of the contract sum, leaving the school projects largely incomplete.
The government also accused Ogundele of premeditated fraud, explaining that while he presented a bond issued by Jaiz Bank to secure the contract, he used the company’s Zenith Bank account registered with the state’s Ministry of Works and Infrastructure to receive the said payment, making it impossible for the state to hold Jaiz Bank liable.
The state also alleged that he had remained evasive and allegedly refused to return to site leading to a formal complaint to the EFCC.
However, Ogundele released a video denying any wrongdoing and claimed delays and setbacks in delivering the projects were due to economic and operational challenges, including rising material costs, inflation, foreign exchange volatility, manpower shortages, logistical hurdles, and security concerns.
Ogundele also said he mobilised 42 engineers to oversee the work, faced difficulties with machinery and equipment, and handled projects outside his company’s previous experience.
He insisted that project expenditures were transparent, disputes with the state government led to legal action, and he remained committed to completing the work.