‘Obi of Lagos’ admits installation was a swindling scheme

Friday, September 12, 2025 - The Lagos State Police Command on Thursday said the arrested self-acclaimed “Obi of Lagos,” Chibuike Azubike, confessed that the planned installation was a scheme to defraud unsuspecting participants.

The command’s Deputy Public Relations Officer, Babaseyi Oluseyi, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.

The 65-year-old Azubike was arrested while parading himself as the “Obi of Lagos.” He was apprehended on Wednesday with three alleged accomplices during preparations for an unlawful unveiling ceremony.

According to the police, the group had planned to launch a prototype of a purported N1.5bn “Palace of Obi of Lagos State” on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at Apple Hall, Amuwo Odofin.

Oluseyi said Azubike admitted during interrogation that the planned installation was designed to fleece unsuspecting guests. The suspect also reportedly confessed that, contrary to his earlier claims, he was not an engineer but merely a supplier of construction materials.

“Investigation revealed that the principal suspect, Chibuike Azubike, confessed he is not a qualified engineer but has been parading himself as one. 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,” Oluseyi said.

He added that Azubike acted alone without the backing or recognition of any legitimate chieftaincy authority. The suspect and his accomplices, he said, would be prosecuted once investigations are concluded.

Oluseyi urged Lagos residents to disregard misleading claims about the incident and remain vigilant. “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 stated.

As of the time of filing this report, our correspondent could not obtain Azubike’s reaction as he remained in police custody.

The arrest has stirred ethnic debates on social media, with some questioning its legitimacy while others argue 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 unlawfully parading himself as a titled chief in Lagos.