Sujimoto: Igbo Group Backs EFCC Probe

Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, ONYCW, has declared support for the ongoing probe of Olasijibomi Ogundele, the chief executive of real estate firm, Sujimoto by the Economic and Financial Commission, EFCC.

Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, the National President of the group made the position of the group known on the issue, saying efforts by the Sujimoto boss to play down the alleged fraud will not work, urging Ogundele to come clean on the matter.

The anti-graft commission had last week declared Ogundele wanted for alleged fraud against the Enugu state government, over business deal breach.

The Peter Ubah-led state government had petitioned the EFCC after Sujimoto failed to deliver 22 Smart School projects within the agreed time.

Ogundele has denied the fraud allegation, saying he’s prepared to clear his name with the anti-graft agency.

But Nnabuike said the Sujimoto boss is just trying to manipulate the public on what actually transpired with the Enugu state government on the project, stressing that Ogundele is also trying to whip up sentiment against the state government, accusing him of absconding with the funds meant for the project.

He also urged the Sujimoto boss to surrender himself to the EFCC immediately instead of trying to blackmail the commission and the agency, adding that the state government must ensure that he returned the funds he collected.

“No form of public display of emotion would stop the government from recovering public funds,” Nnabuike said.

Adding that “People collected money for contracts from the government only to abscond later.

“It is no longer business as usual; contractors who lack capacity should not accept projects in the first place.

“A clear look shows that the Smart School projects under the Sujimoto contracts are all at foundation level despite the heavy payment already made to him; this clear sabotage of government effort is a very sad situation and should be condemned by well-meaning Nigerians.

“For Sujimoto, our advice to him is that he should gently surrender himself to the EFCC and avoid unnecessary drama.

“The government will not be deterred in recovering every kobo belonging to it, and any other contractor sabotaging government efforts should be made to face the music.”

The magazine reports that Ogundele has denied the fraud allegation, blaming the high cost of building materials for the company’s failure to delivered the project as planned.