The Lagos State command of the Nigeria Police Force has disclosed that 65-year-old Chibuike Azubike, who was arrested while parading himself as the self-acclaimed ‘Obi of Lagos’, admitted that the planned installation ceremony was a fraudulent scheme to extort unsuspecting participants.
Naija News reports that the Deputy Public Relations Officer of the Command, Babaseyi Oluseyi, confirmed this in a statement on Thursday.
Recall that Azubike was apprehended on Wednesday alongside three alleged accomplices while preparing for an unlawful unveiling ceremony.
According to the police, the group had planned to launch a prototype of a purported ₦1.5 billion “Palace of Obi of Lagos State” on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at Apple Hall, Amuwo Odofin.
Oluseyi said Azubike confessed during interrogation that he was not an engineer as he previously claimed, but merely a supplier of construction materials.
He added, “Further findings showed that the planned unveiling of the ‘Obi of Lagos Palace’ was fraudulently designed as a ploy to swindle unsuspecting personalities and Nigerians of their hard-earned money.”
Police investigations also confirmed that Azubike acted alone without the recognition or backing of any legitimate chieftaincy authority.
Oluseyi assured that Azubike and his accomplices would be prosecuted once investigations are concluded.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, strongly advises Lagosians not to fall prey to fraudsters of the likes of Azubike and his gang,” he said.
As of press time, Azubike remained in police custody, and attempts to obtain his personal reaction were unsuccessful.
The arrest has triggered heated ethnic debates on social media, with some questioning its legitimacy while others insist that assuming a traditional title without authorisation is illegal.
In a similar case, on April 1, 2023, the Eze Ndigbo of Ajao Estate, Frederick Nwajagu, was arrested for allegedly parading himself unlawfully as a titled chief in Lagos.