EFCC Hands over ₦1.28bn Cheques, Recovered from Sujimoto to Enugu Govt
EFCC Hands over ₦1.28bn Cheques, Recovered from Sujimoto to Enugu Govt
The Enugu State Government has successfully recovered ₦1.28 billion from Sujimoto Luxury Construction Ltd. through the intervention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The funds were officially returned to the state on Wednesday at the EFCC’s Enugu Zonal Office in the form of bank drafts and cheques. This recovery follows an investigation into the alleged diversion of funds originally meant for the construction of Smart Green Schools across the state.
The EFCC Zonal Director, Daniel Ise, explained that the recovery was initiated after the state government filed a petition regarding projects that were either abandoned or left substantially unexecuted.
He confirmed that ₦1,234,350,000 was recovered in drafts along with an additional ₦50 million. This action is part of the commission’s statutory mandate to trace and return public funds lost to financial crimes.
Despite the significant recovery, the EFCC emphasized that the case is not yet closed. Investigations are ongoing to examine all aspects of the petition and ensure every kobo is accounted for. The commission warned that any evidence of further criminal conduct would lead to prosecution, reminding all contractors of the necessity of complying with the Public Procurement Act.
Receiving the funds on behalf of the state, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, praised the EFCC for its professionalism and resilience. He noted that the government decided to take action when they noticed a “misalignment” between their developmental goals and the actual delivery of the projects.
He maintained that the administration remains committed to holding defaulting contractors accountable.
Governor Peter Mbah’s administration has assured residents that the recovered ₦1.28 billion will be immediately reinvested into critical infrastructure. The government intends to use these funds to improve the welfare of the people of Enugu, reinforcing its stance on transparency and the responsible management of public resources.
