‘Failed Promises’: EFCC Recovers N1.28bn from Sujimoto Over Abandoned Enugu Smart Schools
ENUGU — The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has officially handed over cheques totaling N1.28 billion to the Enugu State Government, representing funds recovered from luxury real estate firm Sujimoto Construction Limited over a failed contract to build schools in the state.
The handover took place on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at the Commission’s Enugu Zonal Command, marking a major victory for the Governor Peter Mbah administration in its push for accountability in public procurement.
The anti-graft agency launched an investigation into the company, led by its CEO Olasijibomi Ogundele, after the state government petitioned the commission regarding the abandonment of the 22 Smart Green Schools project despite substantial mobilization payments.
The “Smart School” Scam
Speaking during the presentation of the bank drafts, the Zonal Director of the EFCC in Enugu, Daniel Ise, revealed that the commission acted swiftly on the petition dated February 11, 2025.
According to the EFCC, the state government had paid Sujimoto a mobilization fee of over N2.28 billion to construct the schools. However, the contractor failed to deliver the project by the agreed deadline of January 2, 2025, and allegedly diverted the funds for personal use unrelated to the contract.
“The persistent non-performance of the contractor is clear evidence of an intention to defraud the state government,” Ise stated, quoting the petition. “We have so far recovered N1,234,350,000 in drafts and an additional N50 million, bringing the total to N1.28 billion.”
Investigation Continues
The EFCC director, who represented the Commission’s Chairman Ola Olukoyede, emphasized that this recovery is not the end of the matter. He warned that the commission would continue to trace every kobo of the remaining balance.
“Where cases of criminality are established, the EFCC will take further steps of prosecution,” Ise vowed. “Contractors must understand that public funds are for public good, not for personal enrichment.”
Enugu Govt Reacts
Receiving the cheques on behalf of the state, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, commended the EFCC for its professionalism and “resilience against distractions.”
“There was a lot of noise in the public space when we submitted this petition, but the EFCC stayed focused on the money trail,” Onyia noted. “This recovery proves that the era of contractors collecting government money and vanishing is over in Enugu State.”
The state government has assured residents that the recovered funds will be immediately reinvested into the education sector to ensure the Smart Green Schools project becomes a reality.