Former South-East campaign spokesman for President Bola Tinubu, Denge Josef Onoh, has urged the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide to exercise restraint in its reaction to the dispute between the Enugu State Government and Mr. Olasijibomi Ogundele, CEO of Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited.
Onoh, in a statement, warned that the group’s public labeling of Ogundele as a “saboteur” and demand for the return of ₦5.7 billion involved in the failed Smart Schools project could inflame ethnic tension and undermine due process.
He stressed that Ohanaeze’s role as the apex Igbo socio-cultural body does not extend to intervening in criminal investigations, recovering public funds, or pronouncing guilt.
“While we commend your passion for public accountability, such public pronouncements risk prejudging the case, eroding trust in the justice system, and turning a legal dispute into an ethnic confrontation,” Onoh said.
According to him, Mr. Ogundele has already honoured EFCC invitations and is cooperating fully with investigators.
Onoh, who personally accompanied the contractor to the EFCC’s Enugu zonal office on September 8, urged patience while the investigation and civil suit initiated by Governor Peter Mbah’s administration run their course.
He praised the governor for adopting a lawful approach to recovering state funds, noting that hasty public pressure could compromise the process.
“This case involves a Yoruba businessman and an Igbo-led state government — a partnership that should symbolize collaboration, not division,” Onoh stated.
“Premature condemnation fuels tribal narratives and distracts from the goal of delivering education infrastructure to Enugu children.”
Onoh called on Ohanaeze Youth Council to retract or clarify its statement and instead advocate for transparent procurement processes in Igbo states and fair competition for local contractors.
“Our collective role should be to de-escalate tensions and support institutions in delivering justice,” he added. “Let us turn this matter into an opportunity for growth — prioritizing project completion over public vilification.”
