Ex-CIG Motors Director, Jubril Arogundade, engages legal counsel to fight fraud allegations

Jubril Arogundade, a former Executive Director of CIG Motors Co., has engaged Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Chikaosolu Ojukwu to contest allegations of financial misconduct, escalating a dispute that shines a spotlight on the governance of the Chinese automaker’s Nigerian operations.

The move follows a public disclaimer issued by CIG Motors, the authorised distributor of GAC vehicles in Nigeria, stating that Arogundade’s appointment was terminated following an internal investigation into “financial misappropriation and abuse of authority.” The company added that the matter has been referred to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Arogundade, who also served as Acting Managing Director of the ride-hailing platform LagRide, disputes the company’s timeline and narrative. In a statement, he asserted that he resigned on December 2, 2025, citing “prolonged disagreements” regarding the company’s debt management and compliance standards.

Governance Disputes

“I had deep reservations about continuous borrowing without proper debt management structures, failures of corporate governance despite internal red flags, and unresolved regulatory and tax compliance issues,” Arogundade said in an Instagram rebuttal. He characterised the company’s allegations as a “calculated attempt to rewrite the narrative and deflect attention.”

While Arogundade stated he has not yet received an invitation from the EFCC, he expressed willingness to cooperate with authorities, specifically noting his readiness to assist the Federal Government in recovering outstanding statutory obligations, including VAT and tax liabilities allegedly owed by the firm.

LagRide Scrutiny

The executive clash intensifies scrutiny on CIG Motors, which assumed operational control of LagRide—a Lagos State government-backed mobility platform—in March 2025.

The transition of LagRide’s management has been turbulent. The handover followed the end of a five-year technical partnership between the Lagos State government and the app’s original developer, Zenolynk Technology Ltd. The separation was acrimonious, with Zenolynk reportedly withholding source code access.

Since CIG Motors launched a proprietary application to replace the previous system, drivers have reported operational challenges, including mapping errors, payment processing difficulties, and reduced earnings. The strategic pivot appears to align with the rollout of GAC’s Wuling electric vehicles, marking a shift from the platform’s initial mass-market focus.

CIG Motors has not yet publicly responded to specific debt and compliance claims raised by its former director.