Denge Josef Onoh, the former campaign spokesperson for President Bola Tinubu in the southeast, has cautioned Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the leading Igbo socio-political organisation, against escalating ethnic tensions in the dispute between the government of Enugu State and Mr. Olasijibomi Ogundele, the CEO of Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited, a contractor.
A dispute has arisen around a purported breach of contract in the agreement granted to the business with the South West-based CEO.
Then, in a statement, Ohanaeze Ndigbo called Mr. Ogundele a “saboteur” and asked the contractor to refund the N5.7 billion that was involved in the contract failure to the Enugu State government.
In response to Ohanaeze’s stance, Onoh advised the Igbo group to exercise caution and discernment, especially when its purview does not include monitoring alleged criminal cases or retrieving money for governments.
Yet, he praised Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide for its zeal in tackling matters of public concern and in requesting Mr. Ogundele’s cooperation with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), pointing out that it reflects the youth’s wish to see development projects carried out and public funds safeguarded.
Onoh asserted, however, that a calibrated counter-perspective is necessary to preserve the integrity of institutions and to foster productive dialogue.
He declared that his goal is not to defend any one person but rather to highlight the importance of due process, institutional boundaries, and the need to refrain from acts that might exacerbate ethnic tensions in Nigeria’s precarious sociopolitical environment, particularly as the 2027 election season approaches, in order to prevent desperate politicians from taking advantage of it to dangerous ethnic dimensions.
He emphasised that the presumption of innocence, which states that Mr. Ogundele and all citizens are innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law, is the foundation of any just society.
As I personally led him, Mr. Ogundele willingly submitted to the EFCC Enugu zonal command, demonstrating his commitment to working with the pertinent authorities to clean his record.
“Ogundele was declared wanted by the EFCC and is currently being questioned in connection with claims of money laundering and cash diversion pertaining to the N5.7–N11 billion Enugu Smart Schools contract. Although these are major issues, his accounts have been frozen to guarantee compliance while the inquiry continues.
Furthermore, I am personally aware that the Efcc has imposed strict bail requirements, but calling him a “saboteur” in public or requiring his immediate surrender before a court decision is made runs the risk of prejudging the case and undermining public confidence in our legal system.
Recalling how ethnic profiling has previously been used as a weapon against the Igbo, he notes that the history of the Ndigbo warns them the dangers of making snap decisions.
Given Mr. Ogundele’s Yoruba ancestry and the circumstances of Enugu State, we unintentionally contribute to a narrative that can depict the issue as a Yoruba-Igbo conflict by portraying this as a proven fact of fraud. This is unhelpful and useless. Premature condemnation merely muddies the waters; let the EFCC and the courts do their work.
As our premier sociocultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has the admirable goal of advancing Igbo welfare, culture, unity, and advocacy on national problems that impact Ndigbo. This excludes getting involved in partisan political matters, contract awards, state governance, or criminal investigations. Under Governor Peter Mbah’s leadership, the state government launched the Smart Schools project, a PDP Party-led endeavour to improve education in Enugu state. Ohanaeze is not legally able to support or encourage investigations, collect money, or order contractors to be accountable in this area.
Such overreach may jeopardise the independence of state institutions by obfuscating the distinction between executive meddling and cultural advocacy. For example, although your council has good intentions when it supports the EFCC, it portrays Ohanaeze as a quasi-judicial entity, which is not the case.
This might create a risky precedent and lead to charges of ethnic interference in politics. Ohanaeze’s power instead resides in promoting communication, fighting for fair resource distribution throughout Nigeria, and making sure that Igbo interests are upheld without intruding into areas that are designated for elected authorities, law enforcement, or the court.
Onoh explained that the Sujimoto case is still ongoing because Mr. Ogundele has already accepted an invitation from the EFCC to be questioned in Enugu. On Monday, September 8, 2025, he drove Sujimoto to the EFCC Enugu zonal headquarters with Sujimoto’s attorneys.
Additionally, he disclosed that Onoh had already contacted Governor Peter Mbah and promised to bring Ogundele in order to fulfil the EFCC’s invitation.
He praised Governor Peter Mbah for his maturity and sincere openness in pursuing all legal avenues to recoup state cash while ensuring that justice is served.
According to Onoh, he was also aware that Mr. Ogundele was interrogated for hours on September 8–12, 2025, and he continued to cooperate while denying any wrongdoing.
He added that the May 2025 joint EFCC-Enugu inspection verified delays, but that variables like inflation, material costs, and project complexity—which Ogundele mentioned in his tearful video response—need careful forensic analysis rather than public demonisation.
Onoh stated that he was aware that the Enugu State Government had filed a civil lawsuit in order to recoup the money and uphold the terms of the contract, demonstrating Governor Peter Mbah’s dedication to openness over the matter.
He claimed to have been personally informed by Governor Mbah that the government would make sure that no Enugu State or public funds related to the failed 22 Smart Schools project would be lost and would need to be accounted for, and that he would see the case through to its logical conclusion.
This is a leadership challenge for Gov. Mbah, but your council’s need for quick action while advising “no drama” may unintentionally put undue pressure on the process, resulting in biassed results or procedural errors.
Such actions run the danger of being viewed as an outside influence in a country where political interference has occasionally stained anti-corruption efforts. This might delay justice or lead to appeals that prolong the suffering of all parties, including the pupils in Enugu who are waiting for their facilities.
“As Ndigbo, we are more aware than most of Nigeria’s ethnic fault lines. An Igbo-led state government hired a Yoruba businessman in the Sujimoto case; this type of cross-ethnic cooperation should be an example of cooperation rather than conflict. Ohanaeze runs the danger of escalating stories of tribal witch hunts by openly “supporting” the EFCC in a way that singles out a member of a different ethnic group.
Social media is already rife with divisive opinions, ranging from sabotage charges to ethnic solidarity-based defences. This is a tinderbox; one mistake can set off feelings that are detrimental to everyone.
It is our responsibility as youth leaders and elders to defuse rather than escalate. The reaction would be immediate and well-founded if a Yoruba sociocultural organisation made a similar remark about an Igbo contractor in Lagos. Supporting accountability through institutions rather than ethnic filters will allow us to demonstrate the togetherness we preach. Let’s make the most of this chance for development.
“I am an Igbo man, but as the former Southeast spokesperson for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I spoke and continue to speak for a Yoruba man. My voice is still the loudest in my region, if not Nigeria, in support of a Yoruba man and our President, not out of selfish gain or reward but rather because of the vision of a united Nigeria that our forefathers envisioned and the family values that I hold in the highest regard.
The Ohanaeze Youth Council ought to take back or revise their statement to place more emphasis on institutional procedures than personal responsibility. Focus your efforts on promoting open contract bidding in Igbo states so that indigenous companies with a track record of success are given preference.
“To settle the civil matter amicably, all parties involved should participate in discreet mediation—possibly through impartial organisations like the Nigerian Institute of Architects—with an emphasis on project completion rather than punishment.
“Let’s unite behind education. Enugu’s smart schools are essential; regardless of the contractors, require progress reports from the state government.
Mr. Ogundele is still completely collaborating with the EFCC; if he turns out to be innocent, transparency will clear his reputation. Lastly, when our voice unifies rather than divides, it is powerful. Allow justice to run like a river—steady, unbiased, and free from bias or hurry. Onoh said.
