The Youth wing of apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide has charged the CEO of Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited, Olasijibomi Ogundele, to stop whipping up emotions over his invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

 

 

 

Sujimoto has been in the news after he was declared wanted by the EFCC over his alleged failure to deliver 22 Smart School projects belonging to the Enugu State Government.

 

 

 

He was later captured in video weeping, after which the Enugu State Government alleged that he defrauded the state of nearly N6bn.

 

 

 

Reacting to the controversy, the National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike said no form of public display of emotion would stop the government from recovering public funds.

 

 

While describing Governor Mbah as “game changer”, Okwu said time had gone when people collected money for contracts from the government only to abscond later.

 

 

The Ohanaeze Youth President said, “It is a clear indication that it was no longer business as usual; time had gone when contractors pocket government money and think that nothing would happen. We are happy that Governor Peter Mbah has come as a game changer.

 

 

“If you are a contractor and you lack capacity, why accept to undertake a project? Now after you have been paid to turn into a cry cry baby thinking that it would turn public narrative in your favour.

 

 

“Sadly, contractors such as these are the reasons Nigeria hardly makes progress, leading to a litany of abandoned projects here and there.

 

 

“A clear look shows that the Smart School projects under the Sujimoto contracts are all at foundation level despite the heavy payment already made to him; this clear sabotage of government effort is a very sad situation and should be condemned by well meaning Nigerians.

 

 

“We are glad that Governor Peter Mbah has sent a clear signal to other contractors by this singular action. It is no longer a time where government money was treated as nobody’s money.”

 

 

Okwu urged the Governor not to be deterred but to ensure that every kobo belonging to the government was refunded, adding that any other contractor sabotaging government efforts should be made to face the music.

 

 

“For Sujimoto, our advice to him is that he should gently surrender himself to the EFCC and avoid unnecessary drama,” Okwu declared.