By Lukmon Akintola
In recent times, the name Sijibomi Ogundele, Group Managing Director of Sujimoto Holdings, has moved from glossy real estate conversations into a far more sobering national discourse—one centered on accountability, public funds, and the rule of law.
It is now in the public domain that Ogundele, through his company, received over ₦2.28 billion from the Enugu State Government for the construction of 22 smart schools across the state. The project, according to official records, was scheduled for delivery in January 2025. That deadline came and went. The schools were neither completed nor handed over, with reports indicating that the project was abandoned.
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The Enugu State Government subsequently alleged fraud and breach of contract asserting that the funds released for the project were not applied as agreed. These allegations triggered the involvement of Nigeria’s anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Before honouring the EFCC’s invitation, Ogundele was seen in a widely circulated video appearing to mock or downplay the summons—an act many Nigerians interpreted as symbolic of a broader culture of elite impunity. However, events that followed took a more serious turn.
Upon honouring the EFCC invitation, Ogundele’s international passport was reportedly seized, and he was granted administrative bail with the instruction to raise funds to refund the Enugu State Government. During investigations, authorities allegedly established that Ogundele was jointly liable for the refund, citing what was described as an irremediable breach of the contract and alleged diversion of project funds.
His recent refund of ₦1.2 billion to the Enugu State Government, facilitated through the EFCC and presented to the Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Chidiebere Onyia marks a critical moment. While the matter may not yet be fully concluded, that refund alone sends a powerful signal: in today’s Nigeria, even the most high-profile businessmen are not entirely beyond the reach of the law.
EFCC refunds N1, 234,350,000 recovered from Sijibomi Ogundele to the Enugu State government
This development is particularly significant in light of persistent social media claims by individuals who allege they invested in Ogundele’s business ventures but are yet to receive their promised returns. While such claims remain untested in court, the broader implication is clear—confidence in business leadership is built not on branding or valuation figures, but on delivery, transparency, and trust.
The EFCC deserves commendation for this intervention. Beyond the specifics of this case, it reinforces a vital civic lesson: Nigerians seeking justice should file petitions through lawful institutions, not outsource accountability to social media personalities who style themselves as activists without investigative powers or legal responsibility.
For Sujibomi Ogundele, this episode should serve as a moment of reflection. In business, ambition must be matched with capacity. Contracts should be accepted not on the strength of reputation alone, but on proven ability to deliver. Failure to execute a public-sector project of this magnitude—regardless of past achievements—inevitably damages corporate credibility and invites scrutiny of even a $600 million–valued enterprise like Sujimoto Holdings.
In the end, this is not just about one businessman. It is about a maturing system that is slowly, but firmly, asserting that success does not confer immunity, and that public funds are not trophies to be mismanaged.
Nigerians are watching. And increasingly, Nigerians are asking salient questions.
Lukmon Akintola, a seasoned journalist, and published author writes from Lagos.
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