Sujimoto boss Olasijibomi Suji Ogundele has denied EFCC fraud allegations, insisting delays on Enugu projects stemmed from rising costs and logistical challenges.
He maintained transparency and pledged commitment to completing all works.
Olasijibomi Suji Ogundele, founder of Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited, has firmly denied allegations of fraud leveled against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
He attributed delays in his projects with the Enugu State Government to economic and operational challenges, not criminal activity.
Speaking in a video released on Friday after the EFCC declared him wanted for alleged fund diversion and money laundering, Ogundele explained that his company faced severe hurdles while delivering major projects, including a proposed 69-storey building and the construction of several schools.
He stressed that rising material costs, particularly cement prices, which jumped from N7,000 to N10,000 during the contract period, significantly impacted project timelines. “I am not a thief, and I am not a fugitive,” Ogundele said.
“This is a contract between my company and the Enugu State Government. They asked me to help build a couple of projects, and we encountered serious pricing challenges.
”Beyond material inflation, he pointed to foreign exchange volatility, logistical issues, machinery shortages, and workforce constraints as further obstacles.
Despite mobilizing 42 engineers for the projects, Ogundele acknowledged that some of the work fell outside his firm’s usual scope, which compounded the difficulties.
Disagreements with the Enugu State Government eventually escalated into a court case. Ogundele emphasized that his company maintained transparency in expenditures and made genuine attempts to resolve disputes amicably, though the situation strained both his business and personal reputation. He also cited additional complications, including security concerns in specific communities, which hindered the timely delivery of the project.
Nonetheless, Ogundele reaffirmed his commitment to completing the projects, stating that his focus remained on delivering value rather than evading responsibility.
