Lagos-based property developer and CEO of Sujimoto Construction, Olasijibomi Ogundele, has denied allegations of fraud after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) declared him wanted over alleged diversion of funds and money laundering.
In a notice signed by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, and posted on its official X handle on Friday, the EFCC urged anyone with credible information on Ogundeleās whereabouts to come forward.
Reacting in a video statement, Ogundele insisted he was not a fugitive, describing the allegations as unfair.
āI am not a thief and I am not a fugitive. This is a contract between my company and the Enugu State Government.
āI was asked to help build schools and later design bigger projects, including a proposed 69-storey building, which the state wanted.
āDespite challenges, I mobilised 42 engineers, rented a home in the state, and worked tirelessly. I even had a serious accident in the course of the project.ā
Ogundele explained that rising costs of materials, particularly cement, and other unforeseen circumstances frustrated the project, leading to disagreements with the state government.
āWhen we took the contract, cement was ā¦7,000. By the time we left, it was ā¦10,000. My staff were sometimes attacked in villages, even shot at, but we kept working.
āEventually, things went sour with the government. We were taken to court, and I agreed to sit with them to resolve what was owed. Instead of resolution, they declared me wanted,ā he added.
The businessman further alleged that the controversy had damaged his companyās reputation but vowed to clear his name.
āThey destroyed my company and abused me, but I will go to the EFCC office to defend myself and claim my name.
āPrices of materials have gone crazy in the last three years, and projects that should take two years have dragged for five,ā he stated.
The EFCC has yet to issue further clarification beyond its initial wanted notice.
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