The CEO of Sujimoto Construction Limited, Olasijibomi Ogundele, has denied claims by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that he was involved in the diversion of funds and money laundering.

The real estate mogul, popularly known as Sujimoto, was declared wanted by the EFCC on Friday for allegedly diverting funds and engaging in money laundering.

The anti-graft agency did not provide specific details but noted that Ogundele was being sought in connection with financial crimes.

But in a video released shortly after reacting to the EFCC’s declaration of him as a wanted person, Ogundele stated that he is “not a thief,” and he is “not a fugitive.”

Ogundele explained that his company was hired by the Enugu State Government to build schools and also to design a 69-storey skyscraper, a project that was supposed to be the tallest building in Nigeria.

According to him, the problems began when the government asked him to build the schools, despite the budget being too small to cover the actual construction cost.

He stated that despite the rising cost of materials, such as cement, which increased from ₦7,000 to ₦10,000 during the project, his company continued with the work. He also said he was fully involved in the project and even had an accident that injured his back.

However, things went awry, he said, when his workers were attacked in some local communities, and the state government could no longer properly support the project. The project eventually came to a halt.

“I’m not a thief or fugitive. This is the contract between my company and the Enugu State Government. The Enugu State Government asked me to help them build a couple of things, a couple of projects, which was very interesting. I was going to the state every week.

“In the middle of the project, they said, ‘Okay,’ because he wanted to build a city. He wanted it to be the tallest building in Nigeria, a 69-story building. I designed and gave it to him.

“He said, ‘Okay, keep that aside.’ He said, ‘While you’re waiting for this, please help me do these schools that we have money for, but don’t have people who can do it.’ However, I’ve never done this type of school before. But I knew it was cement, concrete, and machining, so I said, ‘Okay, let me give it a try.’ I told the government, ‘This project is impossible because of price; the cost of it is too low to build.’

“The governor said, ‘Don’t worry, just help me with the schools, and later you’ll make money not from the school, but you’ll make money from the other projects,’ which I was very happy with. Right there, I mobilised 42 engineers to the state. I took a house in the state.”

Ogundele said that instead of resolving the matter through proper discussions, the government took the case to court.

He said he was ready to settle things and find out exactly what was spent and what was owed, but instead, he was declared wanted.

Ogundele also said he is ready to visit the EFCC office to clear his name.