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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured a court order to detain Nigerian property developer Sijibomi Ogundele, chief executive of Sujimoto Group, over an alleged $3.8 million contract dispute.
Investigators are questioning Ogundele for his failure to complete 22 Smart Green School projects in Enugu State. The projects, they allege, were funded with a mobilization fee of N5.7 billion ($3.8 million) from the state government, which has yet to see the promised schools delivered.
The EFCC’s action underscores growing scrutiny of public contracts and accountability in Nigeria’s real estate sector. Ogundele’s legal team has not yet commented on the allegations.
Alleged contract breach
The EFCC accused him of abandoning the sites and ignoring repeated requests for accountability. After he allegedly failed to respond to several invitations, the commission declared him wanted on Sept. 5.
Before turning himself in, Ogundele took to his social media accounts to defend himself, arguing that the contract was undervalued and inflation had eroded project costs.
The Enugu State Government disputed that explanation. Officials said Ogundele collected half of the contract value with a six-month delivery timeline but failed to meet even basic requirements.
“Rather than deliver as agreed, Mr. Ogundele resorted to shoddy work using inexperienced hands,” the government said in a statement. “He later disappeared, leaving the state with no choice but to petition the EFCC.”
State Government’s position
A joint inspection by the Ministry of Works and EFCC officers in May reportedly found that most of the sites had little beyond foundation and block work. The government said other contractors awarded similar projects had already completed theirs, forcing it to reassign Ogundele’s contracts to new firms.
Pictures released by the state showed minimal construction, with some projects stalled at foundation level. Officials also accused Ogundele of avoiding scheduled briefings and ignoring repeated phone calls and messages.
EFCC investigation continues
The EFCC, which had already frozen Sujimoto’s accounts, confirmed that an Abuja Chief Magistrate Court granted its request to keep Ogundele in custody while the probe continues.
“We have made significant progress,” an EFCC source told local media. “He is expected to meet with top Enugu State officials to explain how the funds were spent or make a refund. His case looks straightforward.”
Ogundele’s profile
Ogundele, 44, is a well-known Lagos-based businessman who guided Sujimoto Group into a prominent name in Nigeria’s luxury property market. Over a career spanning more than a decade, he has handled transactions worth about N45 billion ($30 million).
The company is associated with high-end residential developments in Ikoyi, Banana Island, and Abuja, including the Medici, GiulianoBySujimoto, Lucrezia De Medici Tower, and Leonardo Highrise. Sujimoto has often been described as the “Rolls-Royce” of Nigerian real estate, catering to wealthy clients seeking bespoke homes.
