ENUGU: The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has recovered ₦1.28 billion from Sujimoto Luxury Construction Ltd over funds allegedly misappropriated from the Enugu State Government for the construction of Smart Green Schools across the state.
The recovery followed an investigation launched after the Enugu State Government, in September 2025, accused the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Olasijibomi Ogundele, of defrauding the state of ₦5.76 billion meant for 22 Smart Green School projects, many of which were reportedly abandoned or substantially unexecuted.
Presenting the recovered cheques on Wednesday, the EFCC Zonal Director in Enugu, Mr Daniel Ise, said the commission traced and recovered ₦1,234,350,000 alongside an additional ₦50 million, bringing the total recovery to ₦1,284,350,000.
Ise said the recovery was in line with EFCC’s mandate to trace, recover and restitute public funds lost to economic and financial crimes, stressing that investigations into the matter were still ongoing.
“This does not mark the end of the case. We will examine every facet of the petition to ensure that every kobo belonging to the Enugu State Government is accounted for. Where evidence of criminality is established, prosecution will follow,” he said.
Receiving the funds on behalf of the state government, Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, praised the EFCC for what he described as professionalism and resilience despite public controversies surrounding the case.
Onyia said the recovery reflected the administration of Governor Peter Mbah’s commitment to transparency and accountability, adding that the funds would be reinvested in infrastructure projects to improve living standards in the state.
He also warned that contractors who fail to deliver value for public funds would face legal consequences as investigations continue.
