The Enugu State Patriots, a coalition of leaders across political and professional backgrounds, have accused the Chief Executive Officer of Sujimoto Luxury Construction Company Limited, Olasijibomi Ogundele, of resorting to lies, theatrics, and emotional blackmail in a bid to evade accountability over the alleged diversion of ₦5.7 billion meant for the construction of 22 Smart Green Schools in Enugu State.
In a statement issued in Enugu on Monday, the group’s spokesman, Prof. Martin Anikwe, alleged that Ogundele had launched a smear campaign against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Enugu State Government rather than confronting the facts of the fraud allegations.
The Patriots urged him to “return Enugu State’s money and save Nigerians his endless theatrics, lies, and cheap blackmail aimed at currying public sympathies.”
According to the group:
“We have observed a pattern in this whole Sujimoto episode. First, once he was declared wanted by the EFCC for failing to honour lawful invitations for several months, he put up an Oscar performance, shedding crocodile tears in a failed bid to win public sympathies.
When he eventually submitted himself, his spin doctors alleged that he was not eating enough nourishing food at the EFCC detention facility, and was not allowed enough time with his doctors and lawyers.
Next, he accused the EFCC and South East Zonal Director of bias and compromise.”
The Patriots described these antics as consistent with “the culture of the Nigerian corrupt, who feign sickness, employ theatrics and cheap blackmail to evade justice.”
They maintained that the case was straightforward, stressing that Ogundele must refund the ₦5.7 billion already traced to his personal accounts and Sujimoto projects in Lagos.
The group added:
“Ogundele, even by his personal admission in his initial video, accepted an ₦11.7 billion contract in July 2024 to deliver 22 Smart Green Schools in six months — February 2025. He also received ₦5.7 billion (tax inclusive), which is 50 percent of the contract sum.
The question is, did he deliver on the projects? Did he even complete one out of the 22 projects? Did he also do any jobs remotely proportionate to the money received? All he has to show for the ₦5.7 billion are mostly foundation-level jobs done by quacks, as the pictures of the sites taken on 8th and 9th of May 2025 clearly show.
Not only did he fail to deliver, he intentionally disappeared with the money and also refused to honour series of invitations by the Enugu State Government and subsequently by the EFCC.”
The Patriots further noted that the Smart Green Schools project was designed to equip Enugu’s children with 21st-century education and skills that would prepare them for the global economy.
“In a country beleaguered by youth unemployment, internet fraud, and violent crimes, the real victims of Ogundele’s attempt to defraud Enugu State would be Enugu children and youths whom these projects would, in the nearest future, empower to be gainfully employed and kept away from a life of crime and criminality.
Therefore, Ogundele should be made to refund the money to the last kobo.”
The group also dismissed attempts to politicise or ethnicise the matter, stressing that competence, not ethnicity, should be the only criterion in executing contracts.
“Every Nigerian is free to secure and execute contracts in Enugu State, so long as he or she has the capacity,” the statement concluded.
