The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has recovered over ₦1.2 billion from Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited and returned the funds to the Enugu State Government over the abandoned construction of 22 proposed smart schools in the state.

The handover took place on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, following an investigation which showed that the contractor failed to deliver on the terms of its agreement with the state government.

According to the anti-graft agency, the probe was triggered by a petition submitted on February 11, 2025, alleging irregularities in the award and execution of the smart schools project. The petition claimed that a total of ₦2.28 billion was released as advance payment to Dr. Olasijibomi Ogundele, identified as the Group Managing Director of Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited, for the project.

However, investigators found that the contract completion deadline of January 2, 2025, passed without any substantial progress on the project. The petitioners described the contractor’s continued inaction after the deadline as evidence of deliberate intent to defraud the Enugu State Government, alleging that project funds were diverted.

Following its investigation, operatives of the EFCC’s Special Task Fraud Section in the Enugu Zonal Directorate recovered ₦1,234,350,000 from the company.

Presenting the recovered funds on behalf of EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, the Enugu Zonal Director and Commander of the EFCC, Daniel Isei, said the Commission remains resolute in tracking and retrieving public funds lost to fraud.

He noted that the agency acted promptly after receiving the complaint from the Enugu State Government and was pleased to return part of the money paid to the contractor.

Isei also issued a stern warning to contractors handling public projects, stressing the need for strict adherence to the Procurement Act and ethical standards in project execution. He added that the EFCC would not hesitate to pursue prosecution where evidence of criminal conduct is established.

“All public funds must be properly used or accounted for. Where this does not happen, the Commission will step in to ensure accountability,” he said.

Receiving the recovered sum on behalf of the Enugu State Government, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, commended the EFCC for what he described as professionalism and diligence, despite what he termed distractions and speculation in the public domain.

Onyia said the recovery underscored the Mbah administration’s commitment to transparency and prudent management of public resources. He assured residents that the funds would be redirected to priority infrastructure projects aimed at improving the living conditions of people in the state.

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“This recovery is a clear example of effective collaboration between government institutions and a strong statement on accountability,” he said.