Enugu Patriots Demand Accountability, Tell Sujimoto Boss To Stop Excuses And Refund Alleged N5.7bn Smart School Funds

 

Enugu State stakeholders under the umbrella of Enugu Patriots have called on the Chief Executive Officer of Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited, Olasijibomi Suji Ogundele, to refund the sum of N5.7 billion allegedly misappropriated from the state’s Smart Schools Project. The group argued that excuses around inflation, profit margins and partial expenditure cannot justify the absence of visible work on the ground after the substantial funds released.

The state government, working alongside the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, has already commenced moves to recover the huge payment that was part of the funding for 22 Smart Green Schools. These schools form a segment of the ambitious 260 Smart Green Schools program launched by the administration of Governor Peter Mbah as part of his reform agenda in the education sector.

Enugu Patriots, through their spokesperson, Professor Mathiine Anikwe, declared in a strongly worded statement that Ogundele must stop playing the victim and face the reality of failed delivery. The group accused him of weeping crocodile tears while enjoying funds meant for the future of Enugu children. They stressed that emotional outbursts could not replace accountability and performance in public contracts.

Evidence presented by the group suggests that the actual work carried out across the 22 sites does not tally with the financial claims of Sujimoto. Reports from the state Ministry of Works and Infrastructure as well as visual records taken in May 2025 showed little progress. According to the Patriots, even a generous estimate of the visible structures would not exceed N600 million in value, far less than the N4 billion the company claimed to have already invested.

The Patriots also described as misleading the argument that Sujimoto received only N5.2 billion instead of N5.7 billion. They explained that such a narrative was intended to sidestep the company’s tax and VAT obligations, which form part of the contractual responsibilities in any government project. For them, accounting semantics cannot erase the truth that Enugu people deserve value for every naira invested in their education sector.

The group praised the priority that the Mbah administration has given to education, reminding the public that the sector took 30 percent of the 2024 budget and 33 percent of the 2025 budget. Such investment, they said, demonstrates a genuine commitment to equipping young learners with modern, world-class facilities. The Smart Schools initiative was conceived to deliver that promise, combining green architecture, digital classrooms and sustainable infrastructure to transform the state’s learning environment.

What stands out, according to Enugu Patriots, is the contrast between Sujimoto’s unfulfilled contract and the success of other contractors. Many of those handling different batches of the 260 schools have already delivered on their assignments, which proves that inflationary pressures or supply chain issues cannot be a blanket excuse. They argue that sincerity of purpose, proper planning and financial discipline are the real factors that determine whether a project is delivered on schedule.

The Patriots insisted that Enugu people will not be deceived by glossy claims of Lagos projects or tales of market volatility. They reminded Ogundele that reputation is earned not through branding but through visible results. The Mbah administration, they noted, extended trust to Sujimoto because of the company’s portfolio in other states, but that trust has now been tested and found wanting.

For the group, the way forward is simple. Ogundele should stop presenting himself as a victim of circumstances and instead return the public funds. The future of thousands of children is at stake, and their right to quality education must not be compromised by corporate excuses or inflated invoices.

The statement from Enugu Patriots carried a clear message of solidarity with the EFCC and the state government. They encouraged both institutions to pursue recovery of the funds without fear or favor, emphasizing that accountability in governance requires decisive action. By their position, they also reassured the public that civil society will not stay silent when public resources are threatened.

Their call further highlighted a growing culture of vigilance among stakeholders in Enugu. Citizens, professionals and advocacy groups are beginning to pay close attention to how funds are allocated and spent, particularly in critical sectors like education. That vigilance, they argue, is the true safeguard against waste and mismanagement in governance.

At the heart of the matter is the conviction that no contractor, regardless of past achievements or perceived influence, can be above scrutiny when entrusted with public resources. The Patriots made it clear that crocodile tears, as they called it, cannot construct classrooms or furnish laboratories. Only transparent use of resources and timely project delivery can bring tangible transformation to Enugu’s schools.

The group’s concluding words were sharp and unambiguous. They asked Ogundele to stop shifting blame, accept responsibility and return the money to Ndi Enugu. For them, that is the only honorable path left in the unfolding controversy. Until then, they promised to continue speaking out, ensuring that accountability remains at the center of the state’s developmental efforts.