The Chief Executive Officer of Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited, Olasijibomi Ogundele, has reacted to the notice by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission declaring him wanted over alleged money laundering and diversion of funds.

In a video shared online, Ogundele denied stealing government money, insisting he was a victim of failed agreements and rising costs on a contract with the Enugu State government.

“I’m not a thief, I am normally fugitive,” he said at the start of the video. Ogundele explained that his company was contracted by the Enugu State government to handle several projects, including the design of a proposed 69-storey tower and the construction of schools.

According to him, he mobilised resources for the projects but was later frustrated by economic and political challenges.

“This is the contract between my company and Enugu State government. The State Government asked me to help them build a couple of projects. One of them was the tallest building in Nigeria, a 69-storey building. I designed it and gave it to him. While waiting for that, he asked me to help with some schools,” Ogundele narrated.

He said he raised concerns early about the low budget for the schools, especially as the cost of cement rose sharply from 7,000 naira to 10,000 naira during the project.

“I told the governor this project is impossible because of the price. The cost of it is too low to build. But the governor said don’t worry, you will make money from other projects,” he said.

Ogundele claimed he mobilised 42 engineers, rented a house in Enugu, and worked across local governments, even suffering a back injury from an accident in the process.

“At every point I knew it was difficult to do because of the price. I faced a lot of threats too. Sometimes my staff were shot at, sometimes people came with guns, but I stayed on the project,” he recalled.

The real estate boss alleged that his company later had a breakdown in relations with the state government, which dragged him to court over the contracts.

“Things went sour between myself and government. They took me to court and said let’s look at the entire project. We agreed on what was owed, but now they declared me wanted. They want to destroy my company,” he alleged.

Ogundele said the situation has crippled his business for the past three years and delayed projects that should have been completed long ago.

“There couldn’t be a way it went sour on me. But I am going to the EFCC’s office to clear my name,” he said.