Enugu Receives N1.28Bn Recovered by EFCC from Sujimoto

ByEditor

Jan 22, 2026 #abandoned smart schools contract, #Enugu infrastructure funds, #Nigerian public funds restitution, #schools refund

Matilda Omonaiye/

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has returned N1.28 billion to the Enugu State Government following the failure of Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited to complete a state-funded smart schools project.

The funds, part of an advance payment for the construction of 22 Smart Green Schools, were formally handed over at the EFCC’s Enugu Zonal Office on Wednesday.

EFCC officials said the recovery was prompted by a petition filed by the state government after the contractor failed to meet the project’s deadlines.

The contract, awarded in July 2024 with a completion deadline of January 2, 2025, was valued at approximately N11.46 billion, with Enugu State paying over N2.28 billion upfront as mobilisation.

EFCC Zonal Director, Daniel Ise, confirmed that N1,234,350,000 had been recovered in the first tranche, with an additional N50 million, bringing the total remitted so far to N1.28 billion.

“The EFCC remains committed to tracing, recovering, and returning public funds misappropriated or unutilised, and investigations into this project are ongoing,” Ise said.

Representatives of the Enugu State Government expressed gratitude to the EFCC for the recovery and stated that the returned funds would be redirected to other critical infrastructure projects.

They emphasised the administration’s commitment to transparency and proper oversight in public contracts.

The case has drawn sustained public attention, with civic organisations and citizens calling for the restitution of funds after the project sites reportedly showed minimal progress before abandonment.

The company’s Group Managing Director, Olasijibomi Ogundele, has been involved in ongoing EFCC proceedings, including an order for detention as part of the agency’s investigation into alleged breach of contract and misappropriation of state funds.