VIDEO: SUJIMOTO CEO SIJIBOMI OGUNDELE BREAKS DOWN, DENIES FRAUD ALLEGATIONS AFTER EFCC DECLARES HIM WANTED
Read Time:1 Minute, 36 Second
By Aishat Momoh. O.
The Chief Executive Officer of Sujimoto Construction Ltd., Dr. Sijibomi Ogundele, has tearfully denied allegations of fraud after being declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In an emotional video statement, Ogundele, popularly known as Sujimoto, insisted he is “not a thief or a fugitive,” attributing the controversy to a failed contract with the Enugu State government.
“This is a contract between my company and the Enugu State government. I’m not a thief or fugitive,” he said. “They asked me to help them build a couple of projects, including a 69-storey building, which the governor wanted to be the tallest in Nigeria. I mobilised 42 engineers, rented a home in the state, and worked tirelessly. I even had a serious accident in the course of the project.”
Ogundele explained that the contract collapsed due to soaring construction costs and insecurity. According to him, the price of cement rose sharply from N7,000 at the start of the project to N10,000, while his staff faced violent attacks during site operations.
“Eventually, things went sour with the government. We were taken to court, and I agreed to sit with them to resolve what was owed. Instead of resolution, they declared me wanted,” he said, visibly emotional.
The real estate mogul lamented the reputational damage the controversy has caused his company but vowed to defend himself before the EFCC.
“They destroyed my company, but I will go to the EFCC office to defend myself and clear my name. Prices of materials have gone crazy in the last three years, and projects that should take two years have dragged for five,” he added.
The EFCC has not issued further clarification beyond its initial notice declaring Ogundele wanted for alleged money laundering and diversion of funds.
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