The Enugu State Government has recovered a total of N1.28 billion from the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sujimoto Luxury Construction Ltd., Mr Olasijibomi Ogundele, following investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) into the alleged diversion of funds meant for the construction of Smart Green Schools in the state.
 
The recovered sum, part of monies paid to the company for projects which were ostensibly abandoned or substantially unexecuted, was formally handed over to the state government yesterday at the EFCC Enugu Zonal Office through a series of bank drafts and cheques.
 
Presenting the cheques, the EFCC Zonal Director in Enugu, Daniel Ise, said the recovery was in line with the agency’s statutory mandate to trace, recover, and restitute public funds lost through economic and financial crimes.
 
He disclosed that the recovery followed a petition submitted by the Enugu State Government, which prompted the Commission to commence investigations.
 
“As of today, we have been able to recover drafts to the tune of N1,234,350,000 and an additional N50,000,000, bringing the total to N1,284,350,000 for the benefit of the Enugu State Government,” Ise said, attributing the progress to the diligence and professionalism of EFCC officers handling the case.
 
He, however, stressed that the handover did not mark the end of the investigation, assuring that the Commission would continue to examine all aspects of the petition to ensure that every kobo unaccounted for is traced and recovered.
 
According to him, where evidence of criminality is established, the EFCC would proceed with prosecution in line with the law.
 
“This does not mark the end of the case. We will look at every facet of the petition to ensure that every kobo belonging to the Enugu State Government that is not accounted for is tracked and recovered,” he said, while urging contractors to adhere strictly to extant laws, particularly the Procurement Act.