The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured a court order for the detention of Sijibomi Ogundele, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited.
The Sujimoto CEO is under investigation by the commission for allegedly failing to deliver 22 Smart Green School projects in Enugu State, despite his company reportedly receiving over N5 billion from the state government.
Sources at the EFCC said the commission obtained the remand order so Ogundele would have to explain how he allegedly spent N5.7 billion without executing the contract.
The anti-graft agency may also seek a court order to seize funds in Ogundele’s personal and company accounts, which had already been frozen. Investigators allege that Ogundele diverted the Enugu funds to his private accounts and Sujimoto estate projects in Lagos.
An EFCC source said the remand order was secured from a Magistrate Court to detain him while the anti-graft agency completes the investigation. Authorities had earlier frozen Ogundele’s personal and company accounts and seized his international passport.
The source said there is proven evidence of the said sum paid to Ogundele. The EFCC is also in possession of the contract terms and documents showing his failure to comply with his obligations. “He is expected to explain how he spent the N5.7 billion or refund the money. His case looks straightforward,” the source said.
Ogundele’s accounts were frozen in case the commission needs to ask the courts for forfeiture of the funds. The building contractor will meet with top officials of the Enugu State government next week to discuss the contract for the 22 Smart Green Schools.
