Olasijibomi Ogundele, CEO of Sujimoto Luxury Construction, has responded to the EFCC’s declaration of him as wanted over alleged diversion of funds and money laundering.
In an emotional video, Ogundele tearfully denied the allegations, insisting he is “not a thief and not a fugitive.” He explained that his company had entered into a contract with the Enugu State Government to undertake several projects, including the construction of schools and the design of a 69-story building, intended to be Nigeria’s tallest.
Describing the challenges he faced, Ogundele said, “I was going to the state every week. In the middle of the project, they said they wanted to build a city and the tallest building in Nigeria, a 69-story building. I designed it and gave it to them. While waiting for this, they asked me to help build schools. I had never done this type of school before, but I knew it was cement, concrete, and machinery, so I said, ‘Let me give it a try.’ I told the government the project was impossible at the pricing given, but they insisted, so I mobilized 42 engineers and went to the state to work on the project.”
He revealed personal hardships endured during the projects, saying, “I had an accident and my back got broken, but I didn’t tell anybody. Cement prices rose from 7,000 to 10,000. Sometimes my staff were shot at in villages, yet I remained committed to the work.”
Ogundele also recounted the fallout with the state government: “Things went sour between myself and the government. They took me to court, but I said let’s agree on how much we owe. I was in agreement with them, but now they declared me wanted, destroyed my company. I’m going to go to the office and clear my name.”
He stressed that his work was genuine and that he was unfairly targeted: “If I had money, I would continue the project, but I had other commitments. The last two to three years, prices have just gone crazy, and projects that should have taken three years took five. I am not a thief; I am not a fugitive. This is a contract, and I will go and clear my name.”
The EFCC has urged anyone with information about Ogundele’s whereabouts to come forward, while investigations continue into the matter. His company remains known for luxury developments across Lagos, including Banana Island and Ikoyi.
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