The Enugu State Patriots, a coalition of leaders drawn from political and professional circles, has backed the ongoing efforts of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Enugu State Government to recover the ₦5.7 billion so far paid to Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited for 22 Smart Green Schools projects.
The group also faulted the claim by Olasijibomi Suji Ogundele, CEO of Sujimoto, that his company had already spent ₦4 billion on the projects before the government terminated the contract in February 2025, following the expiration of the agreed timeline.
According to the Patriots, evidence from the Enugu State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, as well as pictures and videos taken at the sites as of May 2025, showed that Sujimoto’s work was grossly substandard.
“From all indications, Sujimoto could not have spent more than ₦600 million on the shambolic work he did at the 22 sites before they were recovered by the government,” the group said in a statement by its spokesperson, Prof. Mathiine Anikwe, on Monday.
The group further rejected Ogundele’s argument that inflation and profit margins were responsible for his failure, noting that many other contractors had delivered their projects under the same conditions.
It also dismissed the CEO’s claim that Sujimoto received only ₦5.2 billion instead of ₦5.7 billion, insisting that the difference accounted for the company’s VAT and tax obligations.
“The fact that education was over 30 per cent in the 2024 budget and 33 per cent in 2025 underscores the priority the Mbah Administration places on the sector. That is massive and has to do with the 260 Smart Green Schools. No one can blame the government for awarding the contract to Sujimoto, given its projects in Lagos. But having failed to show value for money here, we advise Ogundele to clean his crocodile tears and return the money to Ndi Enugu. Period,” Prof. Anikwe stated.
Meanwhile, other contractors handling multiple Smart Green School projects expressed satisfaction with the process put in place by the state government. They commended the administration’s investment in transitioning children from outdated school structures to modern infrastructure designed to provide experiential learning and global competitiveness.
Surv. Ugo Chime, Managing Director of Testimony Enterprises, confirmed that his company had delivered 10 schools.
“We handled 10 units of the Smart Green Schools. The government is collecting keys for those fully completed units starting from this week,” he said.
Similarly, Chief Ikeje Asogwa, MD/CEO of Intasog Limited, said:
“Intasog was awarded 12 sites, which we have done well and we are happy and grateful for the opportunity.”
On his part, Chinedu Nwobodo, MD/CEO of Alubond Nigeria Limited, noted:
“Alubond was awarded 10 schools. And the good thing is that you do not even need to know anybody to get multiple contracts, so long as you have a proven capacity.”
Also, Chief Charles Mba, MD/CEO of CDV Properties and Development Limited, emphasized that commitment, not origin, determines capacity to deliver.
“We are delivering 10 Smart Green Schools in line with government standards. I know for certain that Enugu indigenes alone got at least 90 per cent of the school projects, depending on the capacity of each company. But this should not be reduced to where a contractor comes from. Enugu indigenes with credible companies, including ours, do projects in other states. Commitment and capacity to deliver are what matters,” he said.
Benneth Nwatu, MD/CEO of Ever Progressive Integrated Resources Venture, also confirmed his company’s successful delivery of several projects.
“Our company has completed multiple projects here. For example, we handled the Smart Green School at Ugwuomu Nike, the one at Queens School, and another one at Inyi in Oji River. One thing about the governor is that he is somebody who is happy when somebody shows capacity. When we completed the project at Queens School within six months, the government graciously awarded us more jobs. The ones we are handling at Ekulu Girls and Iva Valley are also almost completed,” he said.
Nwatu further praised the governor for approving an upward review of contract sums to mitigate inflation, noting that the gesture ensured no project was abandoned.
