ENUGU RECOVERS N1.28BN FROM SUJIMOTO AFTER EFCC PROBE INTO ABANDONED SMART GREEN SCHOOLS
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
The Enugu State Government has recovered ₦1.28 billion from Sujimoto Luxury Construction Ltd. following investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) into the alleged diversion of funds earmarked for the construction of Smart Green Schools across the state.
The recovered sum, part of payments made for projects reportedly abandoned or largely unexecuted, was formally handed over to the state government on Wednesday at the EFCC Enugu Zonal Office.
According to a statement issued by the media office of Governor Peter Mbah, the restitution was effected through a combination of bank drafts and cheques.
Presenting the cheques, the EFCC Zonal Director in Enugu, Daniel Ise, said the recovery was in line with the Commission’s mandate to trace, recover and return public funds lost to economic and financial crimes.
Ise explained that the recovery followed a petition submitted by the Enugu State Government, which prompted a detailed investigation by the Commission.
“As of today, we have recovered drafts amounting to ₦1,234,350,000 and an additional ₦50,000,000, bringing the total recovery to ₦1,284,350,000 for the benefit of the Enugu State Government,” he said.
He attributed the progress recorded so far to the diligence and professionalism of EFCC investigators but stressed that the handover did not mark the end of the case.
According to him, investigations would continue until all aspects of the petition are fully examined, adding that any further unaccounted funds would be traced and recovered. He warned that where evidence of criminal conduct is established, prosecution would follow in accordance with the law.
Ise also cautioned contractors handling public projects to adhere strictly to the Public Procurement Act, emphasising that accountability in government contracts is non-negotiable.
Receiving the cheques on behalf of the state government, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, commended the EFCC for its professionalism and resilience despite public distractions surrounding the matter.
Onyia said the recovery underscored the Mbah administration’s commitment to transparency, accountability and prudent management of public funds, assuring that the recovered money would be reinvested in critical infrastructure projects to improve residents’ welfare.
“When we noticed a misalignment between our developmental objectives and project delivery, we approached the EFCC to help recover the funds,” he said, adding that investigations remain ongoing and that the government is determined to hold all defaulting contractors accountable.
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