The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed that 65-year-old Chibuike Azubike, who was arrested while posing as the self-proclaimed “Obi of Lagos”, has confessed that his planned installation ceremony was a fraudulent attempt to extort unsuspecting participants.
Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Babaseyi Oluseyi, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, following Azubike’s arrest on Wednesday along with three alleged accomplices. The suspects were apprehended while preparing for an illegal coronation ceremony.
According to the police, the group had scheduled the unveiling of a ₦1.5 billion project tagged “Palace of Obi of Lagos State” for Saturday, September 13, 2025, at Apple Hall, Amuwo Odofin.
During interrogation, Azubike reportedly admitted that he was not an engineer, as he had previously claimed, but merely a supplier of construction materials.
Oluseyi explained:
“Further findings revealed that the planned unveiling of the ‘Obi of Lagos Palace’ was fraudulently designed as a ploy to swindle unsuspecting Nigerians and prominent personalities of their hard-earned money.”
Police investigations further established that Azubike acted without any recognition or backing from legitimate traditional or chieftaincy authorities.
Oluseyi added that Azubike and his accomplices would face prosecution after investigations are concluded, warning Lagosians to be vigilant:
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, strongly advises residents not to fall prey to fraudsters like Azubike and his gang.”
As of the time of filing this report, Azubike remained in police custody. Efforts to obtain his personal reaction were unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, the arrest has sparked heated ethnic debates across social media. While some users questioned the legitimacy of the police action, others maintained that parading oneself with a traditional title without authorisation is unlawful.
This case is reminiscent of the April 1, 2023 incident, when Frederick Nwajagu, the Eze Ndigbo of Ajao Estate, was also arrested for allegedly parading himself illegally as a titled chief in Lagos.
