The Lagos State Police Command arrested Engr. Chibuike Azubike, a 65-year-old man who paraded himself as the “Obi of Lagos,” alongside three accomplices. The arrests occurred on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, preventing their planned unlawful installation ceremony and unveiling of a purported ₦1.5 billion “Palace of Obi of Lagos State” in Amuwo Odofin.
The suspects, including Chief Chibuzor Ani (57), Chief Martins Nwaodika (65), and Ikechukwu Franklin Nnadi (41), were taken into custody at the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters in Ikeja. Intelligence indicated that the group had finalized arrangements to hold the event on September 13, 2025, at Apple Hall, Amuwo Odofin.
Acting proactively on received intelligence, police sealed off the venue to forestall any public disturbance and protect unsuspecting residents from being misled by the illegal ceremony. The Lagos Command deployed conventional officers, tactical squads, and the Eko Strike Force to guarantee that the installation event did not proceed.
Deputy Police Public Relations Officer DSP Babaseyi Oluseyi described the suspects’ actions as an unlawful attempt to exploit revered cultural institutions for selfish gains and an affront to the statutes of Lagos State.
Commissioner of Police Olohundare Jimoh warned the public to remain vigilant against impostors exploiting traditional and cultural titles. He stressed that such acts threaten public peace and order and that the command would prosecute offenders to the full extent of the law.
The arrests come amid heightened sensitivity in Lagos regarding cultural heritage and traditional leadership legitimacy, with concerns raised by prominent Yoruba groups condemning such illegal distortions.
Investigations into the suspects’ activities are ongoing, with court charges expected when inquiries conclude.
