EFCC detains Sujimoto CEO Sijibomi Ogundele over ₦5.7bn Enugu school contract row after court grants order pending investigation

The order, granted by an Abuja Chief Magistrate Court, allows the anti-graft agency to keep the property developer in custody while investigations continue into claims that he failed to deliver on a major education project funded by the Enugu State Government.

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Court filings allege that Mr Ogundele received ₦5,762,565,475.25, representing 50% mobilisation for the construction of 22 Smart Green Schools, with a contractual obligation to complete the projects within six months from February 2025.

Instead, the state government accuses him of abandoning the sites soon after mobilisation, falling short of specifications and ignoring repeated invitations for accountability.

Reports indicate that at several locations, work remained at foundation level more than a year after the contract award.

A joint inspection by EFCC investigators and officials from the Enugu State Ministry of Works in May 2025 allegedly confirmed “minimal to no significant progress” across the 22 schools.

The EFCC had earlier declared Mr Ogundele wanted on 5 September after he failed to honour summons. He surrendered days later, insisting on social media that he was innocent, arguing the project was underpriced and that inflation hindered delivery.

Also read: EFCC Declares Sujimoto CEO, Olasijibomi Suji Ogundele Wanted in Major Fund Diversion Case

The Commission has said Mr Ogundele will remain in custody until its inquiry is concluded, after which the matter will be referred for prosecution or clearance.