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Accuses Enugu Government of Damaging Reputation
- Safiu Kehinde
Popular Nigerian Realtor and Chief Executive Officer of Sujimoto, Olasijibomi Ogundele, has vowed to appear before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and clear his name after being declared wanted by the anti-graft agency over alleged money laundering and diversion of fund.
NPO earlier Reported that the EFCC had in a post on its official X handle on Friday declared the realtor wanted, anyone with credible information on his whereabouts to contact any of its offices across the country.
Reacting from his hiding in a now viral video, a visibly emotional Sujimoto CEO broke down in tears as he accused the Enugu State Government of damaging his reputation.
He narrated how the state government had offered him school construction projects which were poorly funded by the government.
Sujimoto disclosed how the project was frustrated with his workers attacked at some of the sites before an eventual fall out with the government.
“I’m not a thief and not a fugitive. This is a contract between by company and Enugu State Government. Enugu State Government asked me to help them build a couple of projects which were very interesting. I was going to Enugu every week.
“In the middle of the project, the governor said he wanted to build a city, and he wanted to build the tallest building in Nigeria.
“I designed it and gave it to him. He said, “okay keep it aside.” He said while we are waiting for this, please help me do these schools that we have money, but we don’t have people that can do it.
“I have never done this type of school before, but I knew it was cement and concretes and machinery. So, I said okay let me give it a try. But I told the governor that this project is impossible because of the cost of it was too low to build.
“The governor said “don’t worry, just help me do these schools. You won’t make money from this but will from other projects.”- which I was very happy with.
“Right there, I mobilised 42 engineers to the state. I took a house in the state and was there doing the job. I was travelling from Ezeagwu to different local governments. I had an accident that my back got broken but I didn’t tell anybody. Now the contract got frustrated.
“When we took the contract, at every point, I knew it was difficult to do because of the pricing. When we took the contract, cement was N7,000, By the time we left, cement was N10,000.
“I faced a lot of people. Sometimes, when we are in the villages, my staff are being shot at. Sometimes they will have some people come and shoot at them. I was still there. But at the end of the day, things went sour between myself and the government.” He said.
Sujimoto recounted being dragged to court over the project as he broke down in tears while vowing to show up at the EFCC’s office.
“If I had money, I would continue on the project. But I had other projects that I wanted to do. They took me to court, and I said okay let’s look at how much we have spent on the project.
“Till the last day, I was there. We don’t want to fight with the government. Now they declared me wanted.
“They destroyed my reputation that I’ve built. But I’m going to the EFCC to clear my name.
“The last two, three years, prices have gone crazy. If I’m doing my project, it’s been delayed. Project I do in two years now take fives.” He said amid tears.