The Enugu State Government has recovered a total sum of ₦1.284 billion from Sujimoto Luxury Construction Ltd. following investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission into the alleged diversion and misapplication of funds earmarked for the construction of Smart Green Schools across the state.
The recovered amount, which forms part of payments made to the construction firm for projects that were allegedly abandoned or substantially unexecuted, was formally handed over to the state government on Wednesday at the Enugu Zonal Office of the EFCC. The restitution was made through a series of bank drafts and cheques presented to state officials in the presence of senior EFCC officers.
Presenting the instruments, the EFCC Zonal Director in Enugu, Mr. Daniel Ise, said the recovery was carried out in line with the Commission’s statutory responsibility to trace, recover and restitute public funds lost through economic and financial crimes. He explained that the action followed a formal petition submitted by the Enugu State Government, which triggered a detailed investigation into the handling of funds released for the education infrastructure project.
According to Ise, the EFCC had so far recovered ₦1,234,350,000 in bank drafts, in addition to another ₦50,000,000, bringing the total sum recovered to ₦1,284,350,000 for the benefit of the Enugu State Government. He attributed the progress recorded in the matter to the diligence, professionalism and commitment of EFCC investigators handling the case.
He, however, stressed that the handover of the recovered funds did not signify the conclusion of the investigation. The EFCC, he said, would continue to examine every aspect of the petition submitted by the state government to ensure that all public funds allegedly diverted or unaccounted for were fully traced and recovered.
“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,” Ise said.
He further warned that where investigations reveal clear evidence of criminal conduct, the Commission would not hesitate to proceed with prosecution in accordance with the law. The EFCC Zonal Director also used the opportunity to caution contractors handling public projects to strictly comply with extant laws and regulations, particularly the provisions of the Public Procurement Act, noting that accountability in the execution of government contracts remains non negotiable.
Ise reaffirmed the EFCC’s commitment to sustained collaboration with governments at all levels in the fight against corruption and the protection of public resources, adding that the Commission would continue to support efforts aimed at strengthening transparency and accountability in public finance management.
Receiving the cheques and drafts on behalf of the Enugu State Government, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, expressed appreciation to the EFCC for what he described as its professionalism, focus and resilience in handling the matter, despite what he referred to as distractions and intense public commentary surrounding the case.
Prof. Onyia said the recovery underscored the commitment of the Enugu State administration to transparency, traceability and accountability in the management of public resources. He noted that these principles form a core part of the governance philosophy of Governor Peter Mbah, whose administration, he said, remains determined to ensure that taxpayers’ funds are used strictly for their intended purposes.
According to the SSG, the recovered funds would be reinvested in infrastructure and development projects that would directly improve the quality of life of residents across the state, particularly in the education sector for which the funds were originally released.
“When there was a misalignment between our intent to use taxpayers’ money for development and what we saw in terms of delivery, we approached the EFCC to help us recover the funds,” Onyia said. “Today marks the beginning of that recovery process, and we are pleased with the outcome so far.”
He further disclosed that the state government had earlier initiated legal action against the contractor and also formally petitioned the EFCC, allowing due process to take its full course in order to avoid procedural complications or future litigation. According to him, investigations into the matter are still ongoing, and the government would not pre empt their outcome.
Prof. Onyia reiterated the resolve of the Enugu State Government to hold all contractors accountable for projects awarded to them, stressing that public office and public contracts must never be treated as avenues for personal enrichment.
He emphasized that any contractor who fails to deliver value for public funds would face appropriate legal consequences, based on the advice and guidance of the state’s legal authorities.
The recovery, observers say, represents a significant step in the state’s broader efforts to strengthen accountability in public spending and ensure that funds allocated for critical development projects deliver tangible benefits to the people of Enugu State.
