Sijibomi Ogundele, the Group Managing Director of Sujimoto Holdings, has long been celebrated as a visionary in Nigeria’s luxury real estate sector. Known for ambitious projects like the LeonardoBySujimoto in Banana Island and the Sujimoto Twin Towers—touted as Africa’s tallest twin towers—Ogundele has built a public persona as a self-made entrepreneur who rose from humble beginnings in Agege, Lagos, to a multi-billion-naira empire. However, beneath the polished image of a philanthropist and business mogul, a growing number of allegations paint a starkly different picture of the man behind Sujimoto. From fraud and misrepresentation to workplace abuse and bullying, these claims have sparked heated discussions online and in the media. This article explores the various allegations against Sijibomi Ogundele, drawing from social media posts, web sources, and public discourse.
Fraud and Financial Misrepresentation: The $325,000 Leonardo Estate Controversy
One of the most prominent allegations against Sijibomi Ogundele centers on accusations of financial misconduct. According to a report by THISDAYLIVE (web ID: 0), Ogundele was dragged to the Force Criminal Investigations Department (FCID) in Abuja by human rights lawyer Pelumi Olajengbesi. The lawyer accused Ogundele of fraudulently obtaining $325,000 from a client, Kabiru Ibrahim, for a three-bedroom flat at the upscale Leonardo Estate. The allegations included charges of obtaining money under false pretenses, fraudulent misrepresentation, and criminal breach of trust.
The THISDAYLIVE article notes that Ogundele was invited by the police to address these claims, which provided him an opportunity to present his side of the story. According to the report, Ogundele clarified that there was no evidence of fraudulent intent. Instead, he attributed the issue to a delay caused by “external economic forces affecting our nation.” After his explanation, he was allowed to go home, suggesting that the authorities did not find sufficient grounds to detain him at the time. However, the incident raised questions about Sujimoto Holdings’ business practices, particularly in handling client funds for high-profile projects.
This is not the first time Sujimoto has faced scrutiny over financial dealings. A report by The Nation Newspaper in November 2024 (as referenced in the user’s summary) also highlighted allegations of fraud and misrepresentation against Ogundele, though specific details from that report are not available in the provided data. These recurring claims suggest a pattern of dissatisfaction among some clients, casting a shadow over Sujimoto’s reputation as a reliable luxury real estate developer.
Workplace Abuse and Gaslighting: Voices from Former Employees
Beyond financial allegations, Sijibomi Ogundele has been accused of creating a toxic work environment at Sujimoto Holdings. A viral post on X by user Sarah (@ToluSayrah) on March 24, 2025, at 16:40 UTC, sparked significant online discussion. Sarah wrote, “Sujimoto is actually a terrible person, should we talk about the gaslighting?? Manipulations 
He has two face, the nice and philanthropist he claim to be out there and the wicked, rude, condescending boss he actually is to his staff.” Her post directly challenges Ogundele’s public image, accusing him of manipulative behavior and emotional abuse toward his employees.
Sarah’s claims were quickly corroborated by Adebajo Johnson (@adebajo_johnson), a former employee who replied to her post on March 24, 2025, at 23:11 UTC. Johnson, who identified himself as the head of accounts at Sujimoto in 2020, alleged that Ogundele physically assaulted him during his tenure. “I really want to expose him either publicly or privately, I am not afraid of testifying. He needs to be stopped,” Johnson wrote, describing Ogundele as a “terrible bully.” Sarah responded on March 25, 2025, at 05:48 UTC, urging more people to speak out: “I need people voicing out, people need to know who this guy really is. He is a terrible person and a bully.”
The term “gaslighting” used by Sarah is particularly significant. According to Newport Institute (web ID: 2), gaslighting is a form of emotional abuse where the abuser manipulates the victim into doubting their reality, often lying even in the face of clear evidence. The article explains that gaslighting can occur in workplace relationships, not just romantic ones, and cites examples like a co-worker falsely claiming to have sent information that was never received. Sarah’s accusation of gaslighting suggests that Ogundele may have engaged in manipulative tactics to control or undermine his staff, a serious charge that aligns with Johnson’s claims of bullying and physical assault.
The Public Persona vs. Private Reality: A Tale of Two Sijibomis
Sijibomi Ogundele has carefully cultivated a public image as a rags-to-riches success story. A profile on SujimotoNig (web ID: 1), published on December 7, 2023, describes him as a “40-year-old entrepreneur, a rose that grew from concrete,” who transformed Sujimoto Group into a “luxury construction behemoth in Africa.” The article highlights his vision to “rebuild and turn Nigeria into a world-class country when it comes to luxury edifices” and emphasizes his business philosophy of avoiding bureaucracy, likening Sujimoto’s decision-making to a “speed boat rather than a ship.” Additionally, Ogundele’s Wikipedia page (web ID: 3) notes his role as an ambassador to the Executive Governor of Lagos State, further elevating his public stature.
However, the allegations of workplace abuse and financial misconduct starkly contrast with this polished narrative. Sarah’s description of Ogundele as having “two faces”—a philanthropist in public and a “wicked, rude, condescending boss” in private—suggests a deliberate effort to maintain a facade. This duality raises questions about the authenticity of Ogundele’s public persona and whether his business success has come at the expense of ethical conduct.
Broader Implications: The Cost of Unchecked Power in Business
The allegations against Sijibomi Ogundele highlight broader issues within Nigeria’s business landscape, particularly in high-stakes industries like luxury real estate. The lack of accountability for powerful figures can enable toxic workplace cultures and financial impropriety, as alleged in Ogundele’s case. The Newport Institute article (web ID: 2) underscores the importance of recognizing gaslighting and emotional abuse in professional settings, noting that greater awareness—evidenced by “gaslighting” being named Merriam-Webster’s 2022 Word of the Year—can help people avoid unhealthy relationships, including in the workplace.
Moreover, the financial allegations against Ogundele point to potential vulnerabilities in Nigeria’s real estate sector, where economic challenges like inflation and currency fluctuations (as Ogundele himself cited in the THISDAYLIVE report) can exacerbate disputes between developers and clients. While Ogundele attributed the $325,000 delay to external economic forces, the recurring nature of such complaints suggests that Sujimoto Holdings may need to improve transparency and client communication to rebuild trust.
A Call for Accountability
Sijibomi Ogundele’s journey from Agege to the pinnacle of Nigeria’s luxury real estate market is undeniably impressive, but the allegations against him cannot be ignored. From fraud and misrepresentation in the $325,000 Leonardo Estate case to serious claims of gaslighting, bullying, and physical assault by former employees, these accusations challenge the narrative of a benevolent visionary. While Ogundele has not been formally charged in the fraud case, and his side of the story has been presented in some reports, the voices of former employees like Sarah and Adebajo Johnson demand further scrutiny.
As the controversy unfolds, it serves as a reminder of the importance of accountability in business. For Sujimoto Holdings to maintain its reputation as a leader in luxury real estate, addressing these allegations head-on—whether through internal reforms, public statements, or legal resolutions—will be crucial. For now, the public awaits more clarity on the true character of Sijibomi Ogundele: a visionary entrepreneur, a manipulative boss, or perhaps a complex figure caught between ambition and ethical lapses. Only time, and perhaps more voices coming forward, will tell the full story.
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