Enugu state government reacts to the Sujimoto Matter

FYI

ENUGU VS. SUJIMOTO: FACTS OF THE MATTER

1. Enugu State Government undertook to build 260 Smart Green Schools in line with Governor Peter Mbah’s campaign promise to build 260 Smart Green Schools (one in each ward) to induce a new dawn that displaces learning by memorisation with Experiential Learning, a hands-on learning approach to equip Enugu children with knowledge and skill sets through direct experience that prepare them for the 21st Century and emerging global economy.
2. On July 2, 2024, Olasijibomi Ogundele’s Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited was awarded a contract in the sum of N11,457,930,950.52 (N11.4bn) for the construction of 22 Smart Green Schools in six months. Sujimoto (Olasijibomi Ogundele) actually begged for more, contrary to his claim in the video that he was entreated by the governor to do the job.
3. Like others, Sujimoto received 20% of the contract sum and mobilised to site and started work. However, he pressed for an additional 40% of the contract sum to enable him to buy building materials – cement, rods, etc. – in bulk to be able to deliver the 22 projects in 6 months. The state government approved only an additional 30 percent.
4. So, in all, Sujimoto received a total of N5,762,565,475.25 (N5.7bn), representing 50 per cent of the contract sum to fast-track the 22 projects.
5. The crux of the state government’s issues with him is that rather than deliver value for money, he disappeared with the money. Even the much he did, he did not deploy qualified professionals or build to specifications. He refused to honour the many invitations by the state government to meet and discuss the project.
6. He did not do any work close to the percentage of funds he received. For months, he abandoned the project sites mostly at their foundation level. In some cases, he did not even do excavation for the entire blocks of the Smart Green School complex.
7. The state government terminated his contract on 22nd February 2024, after the six months set out for the completion had elapsed.
8. Government petitioned the EFCC. However, Sujimoto (Olasijibomi Ogundele) still refused to honour their invitations.
9. The EFCC was conducted around the 22 project sites on the 8th and 9th of May to see things for itself and take necessary records, after which the sites were awarded to other companies, which had to start the jobs afresh.
10. Sujimoto was not the only one awarded multiple Smart Green School projects. Several companies got 10 sites and above, depending on their proven capacity. They include: Intasog Limited (12), Testimony Enterprises (10), Alubond Nigeria Limited (10), CDV Properties and Development Limited (10), just to name a few.
11. Sujimoto’s claim that he could not execute the contract at the awarded cost was incorrect because these other firms are delivering quality projects at the said cost. And unlike him, who pressed for an additional 30% to bring his total advanced payment to 50% of project costs, these other contractors are being paid based on milestones achieved. In any case, he accepted the contract in writing and got N5.7bn of Enugu State’s funds and disappeared.
12. This is an administration renowned for frugal deployment of resources as demonstrated by the Capital Expenditure – Recurrent Expenditure ratios of the 2024 and 2025 budgets. In the 2024 budget, Recurrent Expenditure was N107.2bn, representing about 21% of the N521.5bn budget, while Capital Expenditure was N414.3bn, representing 79%. In the 2025 budget, Capital Expenditure is N837.9bn, representing 86% of the N971bn, whereas Recurrent Expenditure got N133.1bn, representing only 14%. For context, the state’s total budget before Mbah hovered around N100bn and N120bn with Capital Expenditure to budget ratio of about 25 to 35 per cent.
13. The claims that Mbah had mortgaged the Smart Schools projects and government to Yoruba are not correct. Many Enugu people also got multiple projects based on the capacity they could deliver – Chief Ikeje Asogwa’s Intasog Limited (12), Surv. Ugo Chime’s Testimony Enterprises (10), Chinedu Nwobodo’s Alubond Nigeria Limited (10), Chief Charles Mba’s CDV Properties and Development Limited (10), and so on. In fact, Enugu people got at least 90 per cent of the contracts. But the awards were essentially based on the capacity of those that bid for the jobs.

It should also be borne in mind that Enugu is a cosmopolitan state and Governor Mbah is liberal in his approach to governance. He believes that only the best is good enough. One man’s sin does not represent the Yoruba. Out of the 5 transport terminals commissioned on July 14, 2025, four were done by Biodun Otunola’s Planet Project Limited and they delivered world-class projects on target. You cannot also talk about the revolution in Enugu State’s health sector, especially salvaging the state’s health, nursing and midwifery schools, without mentioning Dr. Yomi Jaye, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health Matters. You cannot talk about the revolution in Enugu’s IGR without mentioning Adenike Okebu, Mbah’s Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Revenue. You cannot talk about the improved security in Enugu State without a mention of DCP Olamitisoji Akinbamilayo, PhD, who is now the Commander of Enugu State Forest Guards. As Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations) in Enugu where he retired, he played a pivotal role in the war against insecurity in Enugu State and in implementing the ban on sit-at-home. He earned his appointment based on performance. You cannot also talk about the improved security in the forests without a mention of Alhaji Abubakar Yusuf Sambo, the Governor’s SSA on Special Duties.

The Acting MD of the Enugu State Rural Water and Sanitation Agency (ENRUWASA) and Special Adviser to the Governor on Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Chika Mba, is from Anambra, while the Special Adviser on Governor’s Delivery Unit Ozurumba Afigbo, as well as the Governor’s ADC are from Imo State. The CSO is from Ebonyi State.

In fact, Mbah also appointed an Austrian to help manage Water and Waste and has two Americans as appointees assisting with the transition from outdated learning to Experiential Learning, courtesy of the Smart Green Schools.