Deborah Akinyosoye
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has declared a Lagos-based businessman, Olasijibomi Ogundele, wanted over alleged diversion of funds and money laundering.
In a wanted notice signed by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, and posted on its official X handle on Friday, the Commission appealed to members of the public with credible information about Ogundele’s whereabouts to come forward.
The notice read, “The public is hereby notified that Olasijibomi Ogundele of Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited, whose photograph appears above, is wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in an alleged case of diversion of funds and money laundering.
“Ogundele is a 44-year-old indigene of Ori-Ade Local Government Area of Osun State. His last known address is: G29, Banana Island, Ikoyi, Lagos State.
“Anybody with useful information as to his whereabouts should please contact the Commission in its Ibadan, Uyo, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Benin, Makurdi, Kaduna, Ilorin, Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Gombe, Port Harcourt or Abuja offices, or through 08093322644; its e-mail address: info@efcc.gov.ng, or the nearest Police Station and other security agencies.”
Ogundele, the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Sujimoto Luxury Construction, is known for high-end real estate developments in Lagos, particularly in Ikoyi and Banana Island.
The company has gained prominence in Nigeria’s luxury property market, with projects valued in billions of naira.
Although the EFCC has not disclosed the specific amount allegedly diverted, the declaration signals that Ogundele is under investigation for serious financial crimes.
The wanted notice also highlights the Commission’s increasing focus on high-profile individuals in the private sector who are suspected of laundering illicit funds through real estate and luxury investments.
The EFCC has in the past vowed to curb money laundering and bring to book those suspected of involvement, whether among politicians, the civil service, the private sector, or within Nigeria’s booming property market, which anti-graft agencies have repeatedly identified as a key channel for concealing the proceeds of corruption.