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Exit of CIG Motors Director Arogundade over fraud: What really went wrong

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Exit of CIG Motors Director Arogundade over fraud: What really went wrong

 

A corporate crisis is unfolding at CIG Motors Co. Ltd as sharply conflicting accounts emerge over the exit of one of its most senior executives, turning what began as an internal governance issue into a potential high-profile financial probe involving the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
At the centre of the storm is Jubril Arogundade, the company’s former Executive Director, whose departure has exposed deep fractures within the automobile firm’s leadership and raised broader questions about corporate governance, debt management and regulatory compliance in Nigeria’s auto sector.
CIG Motors announced at the weekend that it had terminated Arogundade’s appointment with immediate effect, following what it described as a “comprehensive internal investigation” that allegedly uncovered financial misappropriation and abuse of authority. The company said aspects of the findings had been escalated to the EFCC for further investigation.
According to the company, the decision followed a period of suspension and an internal review which concluded that Arogundade’s conduct fell “significantly below the company’s governance, compliance and ethical standards.”
“This action reflects our zero-tolerance stance on financial misconduct, particularly at senior management level,” the company stated, adding that it was cooperating fully with law enforcement agencies while assuring stakeholders that its operations remain unaffected.
However, the narrative took a dramatic turn hours later as Arogundade publicly rejected claims that he was sacked, insisting instead that he voluntarily resigned weeks before the company’s announcement.

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In a detailed statement, Arogundade said he formally tendered his resignation on December 2, 2025, from both CIG Motors and its subsidiary, Lagride Nigeria Limited, citing irreconcilable disagreements over the company’s financial direction and governance practices.

He described the company’s announcement of his “immediate termination” as misleading and a deliberate attempt to rewrite events.
“My resignation followed serious concerns about a growing debt profile, weak corporate governance and persistent compliance failures,” he said, adding that these issues were repeatedly raised internally without resolution.
More strikingly, Arogundade alleged that longstanding tax compliance issues under the chairmanship of Ms Diana Chen had attracted enforcement action by tax authorities, including a reported warrant of distraint involving sums running into several billions of naira—claims the company has not publicly addressed.
While denying any wrongdoing, the former executive said he was not afraid of scrutiny and would cooperate fully with any lawful investigation by the EFCC, though he maintained that he had not received any invitation from the anti-graft agency.

Until recently, Jubril was widely regarded as the chairman and CEO’s trusted lieutenant, enjoying broad latitude to operate and drive major deals. Several key transactions were initiated and executed under his watch, with CEO Diana Chen often stepping in only at the final stage to ratify decisions already concluded.
Having served for years as General Manager, Jubril was long tipped to emerge as Managing Director when the position became vacant. That expectation, however, proved short-lived. Instead of an elevation, he was appointed Executive Director — a move that, at the time, was seen as cementing his future within the company.
That sense of security unravelled as disputes began to surface involving the company, its customers and business partners, culminating in the dramatic exit of the Executive Director amid allegations of financial impropriety.

Beyond the immediate dispute over whether his exit was a resignation or a termination, analysts say the episode underscores deeper governance tensions within the company. Sources familiar with the internal probe said investigators examined multiple transactions and management decisions that allegedly breached internal controls, though specific details remain under wraps due to the ongoing referral to authorities.
CIG Motors has declined further public commentary, saying the matter is now before relevant agencies.

But with allegations and counter-allegations now firmly in the public domain, the unfolding saga appears set to test not only the company’s internal controls but also the credibility of its leadership narratives.
As regulators weigh the issues placed before them, the CIG Motors case is shaping up as a cautionary tale of how boardroom disputes, when entangled with claims of financial misconduct, can quickly escalate into a full-blown corporate and reputational crisis.

Exit of CIG Motors Director Arogundade over fraud: What really went wrong

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Carloha Nigeria Unveils Nationwide 6-6-7 Rescue Service, Extends Free Roadside Assistance Beyond Chery Owners

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Carloha Nigeria Unveils Nationwide 6-6-7 Rescue Service, Extends Free Roadside Assistance Beyond Chery Owners

 

Carloha Nigeria, the authorised distributor of Chery vehicles in Nigeria, has launched the CarlohaCare 6-6-7 Rescue Initiative, a nationwide emergency roadside assistance programme aimed at providing prompt and professional support to motorists stranded by vehicle breakdowns on highways and major roads across the country.

The 24-hour rescue service, which is available through a dedicated emergency hotline, reinforces the company’s commitment to enhancing vehicle ownership by ensuring that trained rescue professionals are on standby to respond to emergencies whenever they occur.

The auto firm says motorists in need of assistance can reach the CarlohaCare Rescue Team by calling 07000 667 667, after which a professionally trained crew will be dispatched to provide support.

While response times would depend on location and road accessibility, the company assured that every distress call would receive professional attention.

The rescue programme is the latest addition to Carloha Nigeria’s award-winning CarlohaCare 6-6-7 aftersales package, which earned the company the Most Outstanding Aftersales Car Company award at the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) Awards.

The package offers a six-year manufacturer’s warranty, six years of free scheduled maintenance and a seven-day repair promise.

Under the repair guarantee, customers are provided with a courtesy vehicle if repairs extend beyond seven working days due to parts availability or other qualifying circumstances.

The new rescue initiative now takes that commitment beyond the workshop to the roadside.

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Speaking on the development, Carloha Nigeria’s After-sales Manager, Samson Akinbowale, said the initiative was designed to give motorists greater confidence by ensuring help is always within reach.

“Vehicle breakdowns can occur unexpectedly and often create stressful situations for motorists. With the CarlohaCare 6-6-7 Rescue Initiative, our customers can enjoy peace of mind knowing that a dedicated team of trained professionals is available around the clock to provide prompt assistance whenever they need it,” he said.

Akinbowale added that the programme also includes on-location maintenance support to minimise vehicle downtime for both individual motorists and fleet operators.

Also speaking, the company’s General Manager, Marketing, Felix Mahan, described the initiative as another milestone in Carloha Nigeria’s customer-focused strategy.

“The CarlohaCare 6-6-7 Rescue Initiative is an extension of our vision to provide a superior ownership experience and eliminate the worries that come with vehicle ownership. We want every Chery owner to know that help is always just a phone call away,” Mahan said.

In a move the company described as an industry first in Nigeria, Carloha Nigeria announced that for a limited period, the free roadside rescue service would also be available to owners of non-Chery vehicles, subject to operational capacity. Chery owners, however, will continue to receive priority during periods of high demand.

According to Mahan, the decision reflects the company’s commitment to improving road safety and supporting the wider motoring community.

“We have the team, the trucks and the expertise. When our rescue fleet has spare capacity, it is our responsibility to deploy those resources to keep Nigeria’s roads moving, regardless of the vehicle brand. By extending this service beyond our customers, we are contributing to safer roads and setting a new benchmark for aftersales support in the Nigerian automotive industry,” he said.

Non-Chery motorists requiring assistance can call the same emergency hotline to confirm eligibility at the time of request. The company also advised motorists to follow its official social media platforms and website for updates on service availability and coverage areas.

Beyond emergency rescue and towing, the initiative provides on-location maintenance and technical support for individual motorists and fleet operators, where applicable. Carloha Nigeria said the service is expected to reduce workshop visits, minimise vehicle downtime and give motorists greater peace of mind on Nigerian roads.

 

Carloha Nigeria Unveils Nationwide 6-6-7 Rescue Service, Extends Free Roadside Assistance Beyond Chery Owners

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NADDC Eyes Media Alliance to Fast-Track Automotive Industry Growth

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NADDC Eyes Media Alliance to Fast-Track Automotive Industry Growth

 

The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) has identified stronger collaboration with specialised motoring media as a strategic imperative for accelerating the growth of Nigeria’s automotive industry, saying sustained public awareness, investor confidence and policy support are crucial to transforming the country into a leading vehicle manufacturing hub in Africa.

The Council stated this while receiving the Motoring World Resilience in National Automotive Development Award during the 30th anniversary celebration of Motoring World magazine in Lagos.

The award recognises NADDC’s consistent commitment to promoting local vehicle manufacturing, skills development and industrial growth despite economic headwinds and policy challenges.

Receiving the award on behalf of the Director-General of NADDC, Otunba Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, the Director of the General Services Department, Mrs. Susan Bisong-Taiwo, reaffirmed the Council’s determination to position Nigeria as a leading automotive manufacturing and innovation hub in Africa.

In a keynote address delivered on behalf of the Director-General and titled “Motoring Media as a Catalyst for Automotive Industry Growth in Nigeria,” Osanipin said specialised motoring media remains indispensable to the country’s automotive industrialisation drive by promoting investment, shaping public perception and deepening understanding of emerging mobility technologies.

He noted that across the world, the media had played a strategic role in supporting local manufacturing, educating consumers, stimulating policy debates, attracting investment and strengthening confidence in the automotive industry.

“The media is the bridge between government, industry and the public. It informs. It educates. It influences perception. And, importantly, it drives national conversations,” he said.

According to him, the global automotive industry is witnessing unprecedented transformation driven by electric mobility, alternative fuels, smart manufacturing and green transportation technologies, adding that Nigeria must position itself to benefit from these emerging opportunities.

Osanipin disclosed that NADDC is implementing strategic programmes aimed at transforming Nigeria from a vehicle-consuming nation into a competitive automotive manufacturing and innovation centre. The initiatives, he said, include electric vehicle development, compressed natural gas (CNG) conversion programmes, local content promotion, automotive component manufacturing, skills acquisition and strategic partnerships across the industry.

He stressed that government policies alone cannot deliver the desired transformation, urging the motoring media to simplify automotive policies for public understanding, educate Nigerians on cleaner mobility solutions, encourage patronage of locally assembled vehicles and sustain constructive engagement among policymakers, investors, manufacturers and consumers.

The Director-General also underscored the importance of positive and balanced narratives in attracting investment to the sector.

“Where the narrative is dominated only by challenges and uncertainties, investor confidence weakens. But when the media responsibly highlights innovation, progress and opportunities, it inspires confidence and stimulates growth,” he said.

Osanipin commended Motoring World magazine for its resilience and invaluable contributions to automotive journalism, policy advocacy and industry development over the past 30 years, describing its longevity in Nigeria’s challenging media environment as a reflection of professionalism, relevance and dedication.

He maintained that stronger collaboration among government institutions, industry operators and specialised motoring media would become even more critical as Nigeria advances its automotive industrialisation and energy transition agenda.

Highlighting Nigeria’s prospects, he said the country has significant automotive potential arising from its large market, youthful population, growing technical capacity, increasing investor interest and abundant natural resources. He, however, stressed that policy consistency, infrastructure development and sustained stakeholder collaboration remain essential to unlocking the sector’s full potential.

“If government, industry and the media work together strategically, Nigeria can emerge as a major automotive hub on the African continent,” he said.

The Motoring World Resilience in National Automotive Development Award honours institutions and individuals that have demonstrated exceptional commitment and resilience in advancing Nigeria’s automotive industrialisation despite prevailing economic and policy challenges.

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Relief for Last-Mile Delivery Operators as TSS Motors launches Forland T5 light Trucks

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Relief for Last-Mile Delivery Operators as TSS Motors launches Forland T5 light Trucks

Nigeria’s fast-growing logistics and distribution sector has received a major boost as Transit Support Services Ltd. (TSS Motors) unveiled the locally assembled Forland T5 light truck, a new range of mini trucks designed to slash the high operating costs that have long plagued last-mile delivery operators.

The company said the introduction of the Forland T5 series, assembled at its Enugu plant, is aimed at providing businesses with a durable, affordable and fuel-efficient solution for the most expensive stage of the supply chain—the final delivery to customers.

Although the last mile is typically the shortest leg of the distribution process, it remains the most complex and costly, accounting for a significant share of transportation and shipping expenses.

By leveraging local vehicle assembly, TSS said it is passing on substantial cost savings to logistics operators and businesses.

Speaking on the new product, TSS Senior Sales Executive, Miss Blessing Aluh, said the company developed the Forland T5 in response to the growing demand for practical and cost-effective delivery vehicles.

“Businesses have long been searching for a practical solution to the high cost of last-mile deliveries. With our Forland T5, that much-awaited solution has finally arrived in Nigeria.

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“TSS has come to the rescue with a truck specially adapted for last-mile delivery because of its low maintenance cost. It is guaranteed to reduce operating expenses and make deliveries more efficient,” she said.

According to Aluh, the T5 is built by Forland, the specialised light truck division of Foton, and manufactured to high international quality standards.

The truck is powered by an 82-kilowatt DAM 15R petrol engine noted for its fuel efficiency and low emissions.

It is offered in both box-body and cabin-and-chassis configurations, giving businesses the flexibility to choose a model that best suits their operations.

Aluh explained that the cabin-and-chassis version would enable customers to fit a wide range of specialised bodies, including flatbeds, enclosed box bodies, drop-side bodies, refrigerated vans, mobile clinics and mobile vending units for food, snacks and beverages.

The air-conditioned cabin comfortably seats the driver and a salesperson, while the vehicle comes with a manual transmission and hydraulic braking system.

To meet varying operational needs, TSS is offering the Forland T5 in 1.5-tonne and 2-tonne payload variants, alongside a 2.5-tonne dual-fuel CNG/petrol version.

Like other Forland vehicles marketed by the company, the T5 is backed by nationwide after-sales support, including a one-year or 100,000-kilometre warranty.

TSS said local assembly has also made the vehicle more affordable, with the flatbed version priced at less than ₦16 million.

Aluh noted that customers have the option of buying the flatbed model and building a customised body elsewhere or purchasing a factory-fitted box-body version directly from the company.

“What this means is that you can build your box body elsewhere or customise it the way you need it. But we also supply box bodies,” she said.

She added that TSS can also facilitate bank financing for qualified buyers, enabling customers to spread payment for the vehicles over an agreed period.

 

Relief for Last-Mile Delivery Operators as TSS Motors launches Forland T5 light Trucks

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