The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has turned its searchlight on one of Nigeria’s most flamboyant real estate moguls, Olasijibomi Ogundele—popularly known as Sujimoto.
The anti-graft agency has declared the developer wanted over allegations of fraud and money laundering, sending shockwaves through both Nigeria’s luxury property market and social media timelines.
For years, Sujimoto’s name has been synonymous with opulence. From the glass-and-steel Lucrezia towers on Banana Island to audacious plans for record-breaking skyscrapers, Ogundele built an image that was larger than life.
His story—from the dusty streets of Agege to the glossy boardrooms of Ikoyi—was the kind of rags-to-riches tale Nigerians love to tell. But today, that fairy tale is being tested.
“I Am Not a Thief” – Sujimoto Speaks Out
Hours after the EFCC’s notice went viral, Sujimoto released a video statement. Looking weary but defiant, he insisted the allegations stemmed from a soured contractual deal, particularly with the Enugu State Government.
“I am not a thief. I am not a fugitive. I will walk into the EFCC myself and clear my name,” he declared, his voice shaking between conviction and desperation.
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The clip, now circulating widely on Instagram and X, has divided Nigerians. Some see a man genuinely fighting for his reputation. Others dismiss it as a well-rehearsed act designed to save face and calm jittery investors.
The Rise of Sujimoto: From Agege to Banana Island
Before this scandal, Ogundele was celebrated as a visionary who dared to dream beyond Nigeria’s chaotic real estate landscape. He styled himself as a disruptor—building projects where marble, glass, and exclusivity were the selling points. Buyers didn’t just purchase apartments; they bought into a lifestyle curated by the Sujimoto brand.
But with EFCC’s announcement, the once-reliable formula of prestige and spectacle now risks crumbling. When your image is your business, allegations of fraud strike at the very foundation of your empire.
What Comes Next?
For now, the spotlight is firmly on Sujimoto. Will he make good on his vow to face the EFCC? Will charges follow, or will this crisis fizzle out as a commercial dispute? Either way, the scandal has put Nigeria’s high-end real estate industry under an uncomfortable microscope.
And for a man who built his empire on visibility, the irony is cruel: the brighter the lights, the harsher the shadows.
