Real estate mogul Olasijibomi Ogundele, widely known as Sujimoto, has publicly responded after being declared wanted by theEconomic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).The anti-graft agency issued a public notice on Friday, September 5, signed by its public relations officer, stating that Ogundele was wanted in connection with alleged “diversion of funds and money laundering.”

In a video statement released on the same day, a visibly emotional Sujimoto vehemently denied the allegations, asserting, “I am not a thief and I am not a fugitive.” He contended that the EFCC’s declaration stemmed from a protracted dispute with the Enugu state government concerning a construction project. Ogundele elaborated on the origins of the conflict, explaining that his company had been contracted by the Enugu state government to undertake several projects. Initially, he was engaged for various tasks and frequently visited the state.

Photo Credit: The Guardian Nigerian News

According to Sujimoto, the state governor later expressed a desire to develop an entire city, envisioning the construction of Nigeria’s tallest building. Sujimoto claims he designed this ambitious project for the governor, who then instructed him to set it aside temporarily. In the interim, the governor requested his assistance with building multiple schools, assuring him that funds were available but competent contractors were not. Despite his lack of prior experience with such school projects, Ogundele decided to proceed, recognizing the fundamental construction elements involved.

He recounted expressing reservations to the governor about the project’s feasibility due to the exceptionally low pricing. The governor, however, allegedly assuaged his concerns by promising that while the school projects might not be highly profitable, future, larger projects, including the city development, would compensate for it. Trusting this assurance, Sujimoto mobilized a significant workforce, including 42 engineers, and established a base in the state to commence work.

The project, however, encountered significant challenges, ultimately leading to its frustration. Ogundele highlighted the drastic increase in construction material costs, noting that the price of cement escalated from N7,000 to N10,000 per bag during the project’s timeline. Furthermore, he revealed severe operational difficulties, including instances where his staff faced gun violence in rural areas. As these issues mounted, the relationship between Sujimoto’s company and the Enugu state government deteriorated.

Photo Credit: Premiuim Times Nigeria

Sujimoto admitted that he could not continue the project due to financial strains on his other ongoing ventures. The situation escalated to legal action, with the government taking his company to court. Ogundele stated that he had presented his financial records and expressed a willingness to settle the matter amicably, stating, “Let's agree, how much do we owe you?” He lamented that despite his efforts to resolve the dispute, the EFCC declaration has severely damaged the reputation and operational capacity of his company, which he painstakingly built.

Ogundele also attributed some of the delays to the general instability of prices over the last five years, noting that a project that could have been completed in two years was significantly prolonged. Determined to protect his integrity, Sujimoto announced his intention to present himself at the EFCC office to clear his name, asserting his innocence against the allegations of financial misconduct.