Dr. Sijibomi Ogundele, Chief Executive Officer of Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited, has responded to the notice issued by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) declaring him wanted for alleged diversion of funds and money laundering.
In a video statement released on Thursday, Ogundele—popularly known as Sujimoto—insisted that he is neither a criminal nor a fugitive, describing the matter as a contractual dispute with the Enugu State government.
“I’m Not a Thief” – Sujimoto Speaks Out
Speaking with visible emotion, he said:
“I’m not a thief or fugitive. This is a contract between my company and the Enugu State government. The government asked me to help them build a couple of projects which was very interesting. In the middle of the project, I was going to Enugu every week, and the governor said he wanted to build the tallest building in Nigeria, a 69-storey building. I designed it, and he gave it to me.”
Ogundele explained that the project eventually collapsed due to a sharp rise in the cost of construction materials, which made the initial agreement difficult to deliver.
Vows to Clear His Name
The Sujimoto boss stressed that the issue should not be mistaken for fraud, but rather a failed contractual arrangement. He vowed to honour the EFCC’s invitation and defend his reputation:
“This is not a criminal matter; it is purely contractual, and I will clear my name.”
EFCC’s Allegation
Earlier, the EFCC had urged Nigerians to provide useful information about Ogundele’s whereabouts, claiming that he was wanted in connection with alleged money laundering and diversion of funds.
