“There is no fraud, nor any falsehood. What exists is a delay and nothing more. Yet from this delay, some have chosen to fabricate lies, weaponize rumors, and maliciously mislead the public. Let it be clear: those responsible for instigating and spreading these defamatory claims will be held fully accountable, legally, morally, and shall pay for every damage they have caused.”

When an entrepreneur dares to build what has never been done before, he must first make peace with the storms that come to test his conviction. But to mistake delay for deceit is not only false — it is dangerous to truth itself. For twelve unbroken years, Sujimoto has chosen the harder path: rejecting shortcuts, defying cynicism, and building brick by brick through sleepless nights, sacrifice, and an unyielding faith that Africa deserves architecture that inspires.

The Leonardo by Sujimoto remains one of the continent’s most daring and technically sophisticated luxury developments. Ambition that vast cannot be rushed; its clock is governed not only by concrete and cranes, but by bureaucracy, tedious approvals, and an economy that shifts and strains with every policy change. No one was duped. No one was misled. Our client acted in good faith, approvals were secured last year, and though the project slowed, it was never denied, abandoned, or defrauded.

Unfortunately, some of our most honest and hard-working customers have requested refunds. Some have been patient, others aggressive — and we have honored them all.
We have never compromised. We have faced countless challenges, yet our commitment to integrity remains absolute. Beyond fulfilling contracts, we have helped our customers maximize profits through off-take agreements. Take Giuliano, for example: the first buyer purchased at ₦285 million. Today, less than six years later, the project is worth ₦2.5 billion. Rent now commands ₦100 million, fully booked and fully sold out.

When cement skyrocketed from ₦2,000 to ₦10,000, who absorbs the cost? We do. The buyer does not want to hear this, yet it is reality. During construction, steel surged from ₦500,000 to ₦1.3 million and we did not compromise.

A single 40-foot container cost ₦4 million and later ₦24 million. Still, we refused shortcuts. Every brick, every beam, every detail has been delivered with integrity, despite the market’s relentless squeeze.

Every investor has been engaged directly, and those requesting refunds are being settled through a transparent, structured, and verifiable process. Meanwhile, the Lucrezia — once slowed by the same economic headwinds that rattled an entire industry — now stands on the brink of completion, set for delivery in December 2025, with every fully paid homeowner poised to receive their keys.

It is deeply concerning that public institutions are now being misused to settle civil disputes and punish enterprises. What should have remained a private contractual matter has been paraded as crime, turning law enforcement into debt collectors. Sujimoto is pursuing firm legal redress against those behind these malicious falsehoods, and those responsible shall pay for the damages they have caused.

Sujimoto is not merely a company; it is a creed — a fellowship of architects, artisans, and engineers bound by a shared pursuit of excellence. We have empowered thousands, paid over ₦7 billion in wages in the past 12 years, and built monuments that speak where falsehood falls silent.

In a nation where haste is mistaken for progress and ambition for arrogance, it has become easy to weaponize delay. Yet progress, like justice, is slow only to those who lack patience. Our only “crime” is daring to dream beyond the comfort zone of ordinary builders — and for that, we shall never apologise.

Some may not like Sujimoto — his relentless ambition, his boldness, his refusal to follow the ordinary. Some may call him loud, too forward, even audacious. Yet no one can deny his work. His projects speak for themselves — unmatched in vision, execution, and impact. To question the man is human; to question the monument he builds is impossible.

Sujimoto does not build for applause. We build for permanence. And when The Leonardo finally rises — not if, but when — it will stand as a monument to truth: proof that audacious vision outlives the noise, and that gold is forged only through fire.

Dr. Sijibomi Ogundele is the Group Managing Director of Sujimoto Holdings, the Czar of Luxury RealEstate Development, and the mastermind developer behind the renowned Giuliano. Our other audacious projects, such as the most sophisticated building in Banana Island, LucreziaBySujimoto, the grandiose Sujimoto Twin Tower, the tallest twin towers in Africa; the regal Queen Amina by Sujimoto, a monument to royal affluence; the magnificent high-rise LeonardoBySujimoto; the Sujimoto Farm; an advanced farm estate system that incorporates housing, farm hospitals, hotels, and markets within an ecosystem, creating opportunities for agro-tourism and affordable housing., among other projects that have etched an indelible imprint on Nigeria’s skylines, a testament to Sujimoto’s unrivalled mastery of modern-day engineering.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has cautioned the federal government against using the alleged coup plot as a pretext to target opposition figures or silence dissenting voices.

In a statement issued on Monday, the party’s national publicity secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said while the ADC strongly condemns any attempt to undermine Nigeria’s democratic order, the government must not exploit the situation to instil fear or gain political advantage under the guise of protecting national security.

“The ADC has been following reports of an alleged coup plot involving some arrested military officers and claims that a former southern governor is under investigation for allegedly funding them,” the statement said.

Abdullahi warned that, although the ADC opposes actions capable of threatening Nigeria’s constitutional order, it remains concerned about the potential use of such allegations to justify political witch-hunts, suppress dissent, or manipulate public opinion.

He expressed concern over conflicting statements from government officials, noting that the defence headquarters’ denial of knowledge of any coup plot had raised doubts about the credibility of the reports.

According to him, the government’s silence on the issue has allowed the rumour to spread unchecked, fuelling suspicions that the entire narrative may be politically motivated.

“What appears clear is that the government is using the coup narrative to divert attention from widespread misgovernance and to curry public sympathy,” he said.

Abdullahi added that reports linking unnamed politicians to the alleged plot could be exploited to justify clampdowns or surveillance on opposition figures.

He cautioned that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) must not allow its “desperation” to hold on to power to endanger democracy or citizens’ rights.

“The government has a duty to clarify the true nature of the alleged coup and address the nation transparently if any threat truly exists,” he said. “It must desist from weaponising national security to silence political opposition.”

The ADC reaffirmed its commitment to defending Nigeria’s democracy, saying it would support any legitimate measures aimed at protecting the constitution while rejecting all forms of dictatorship, whether military or civilian.

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu, has urged legal authorities to sanction Aloy Ejimakor, one of the lawyers representing detained IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, for what he described as a breach of professional ethics.

Ejimakor had joined protesters in Abuja on Monday, demanding the release of Kanu, who has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since his re-arrest in 2021.

In a post on X, Onanuga said he saw Ejimakor among a “small group of protesters” mobilised by activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore.

> “I wonder what Mr. Ejimakor was thinking when he decided to join this shambolic protest,” Onanuga wrote.
“As a lawyer, he should be aware of the principle of sub judice, particularly in relation to the ongoing treason case before the court.”

He noted that while the prosecution has already concluded its case, it was now the responsibility of Kanu’s lawyers — including Ejimakor — to focus on presenting a strong defence, rather than resorting to what he termed “extra-legal tactics.”

> “Rather than focusing on preparing a strong case, Mr. Ejimakor has resorted to extra-legal tactics, joining a career anarchist, to influence the process,” Onanuga said.
“Ejimakor’s action questions his adherence to professional ethics. Legal authorities should consider appropriate sanctions for the unethical conduct of the bearded lawyer.”

The presidential aide’s comments follow heightened calls for Kanu’s release and growing public attention on the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow movement, which has seen several activists and sympathisers take to the streets.

Meanwhile, Ejimakor said he had been arrested alongside other protesters and taken to the FCT police command at No. 1 Zaria Street, Garki 2, Abuja, before being released later in the day.

The Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC), which oversees professional conduct among lawyers, may be expected to review Onanuga’s complaint if formally lodged.

Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), remains in detention on charges bordering on treasonable felony.