A coalition of civil society organisations under the umbrella of the Global Gender Safety and Moral Development (GGSMD) has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to beam its searchlight on Sujimoto Luxury Construction Ltd., led by its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Sijibomi Ogundele, over the construction of 22 Smart Schools in Enugu state.
Making the call Tuesday at a press conference in Abuja, the Executive Director of GGSMD, Comrade Godwin Erheriene, urged the commission and other relevant security agencies to launch a thorough investigation into the matter.
According to him, it’s fraudulent for a contractor to present a bond from one bank for the project, only to later receive payments through another bank account.
He said, “This conference has become necessary given recent developments in Enugu state. If left unchecked, they will not only affect hardworking indigenous contractors, but also tarnish Nigeria’s image before the international community.
“For clarity, on July 2, 2024, the Enugu state government awarded Sujimoto Luxury Construction Ltd. a contract worth ₦11,457,930,950.52 for the construction of 22 Smart Schools (buildings only), with a six-month completion timeline. The government also paid ₦5,762,565,475.25, representing 50 per cent of the total contract sum, to fast-track the projects.”
Continuing, he said, “However, rather than adhere to the terms of the contract, Sujimoto delivered sub-standard work using unqualified engineers. None of the sites met structural specifications, and the company eventually abandoned them. All the government’s attempts to engage the company failed, leaving the Enugu state government with no option but to petition the EFCC.
“When a joint team from the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure and the EFCC inspected the 22 project sites in May 2025, they confirmed that minimal or no significant work had been done, one year after the contract was awarded.
“We, therefore, call on the EFCC to ensure that every penny collected by Mr. Ogundele through Sujimoto Luxury Construction Ltd. is recovered in the interest of the good people of Enugu state.”