Group to Sujimoto: Return Enugu smart schools funds

Sujimoto

A group, the Enugu State Patriots, has thrown its weight behind the efforts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Enugu State Government to recover N5.7bn so far paid to Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited for the construction of 22 out of the 260 Smart Green Schools project embarked upon by the government.

The Enugu State Government had accused the Chief Executive Officer of Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited, Olasijibomi Ogundele, of defrauding the state of N5.76bn meant for the construction of 22 smart green schools across the state.

Ogundele was declared wanted by the EFCC on Friday over alleged money laundering and diversion of funds.

Afterwards, a video surfaced with Ogundele insisting he was not guilty of any crime and was ready to clear his name.

Enugu Patriots, in a statement by its spokesperson, Prof. Mathiine Anikwe, on Monday, said, “The fact that education was over 30 per cent in the 2024 budget and 33 per cent in 2025 underscores the priority the Mbah Administration places on the sector. That is massive and has to do with the 260 Smart Green Schools.”

“No one can blame the government for awarding the contract to Sujimoto, given its projects in Lagos. But having failed to show value for money here, we advise Ogundele to clean his crocodile tears and return the money to Ndi Enugu. Period,”Anikwe added.

The statement noted that other contractors handling multiple Smart Green School Projects for the state had expressed satisfaction with the system put in place by the government, saying that they were delivering the projects in line with the government’s standards and schedule.

It said the contractors commended the huge investment by the government to migrate Enugu State children from outdated structures and learning to modern infrastructure and experiential learning to equip them with the requisite knowledge and skills to compete in the emerging global economy. Punch