'Obi of Lagos': I just wanted to commit fraud -Azubuike

The Suspect being held in the police custody for plotting to install himself as the Obi of Lagos', Chief Chibuike Azubike has admitted that the planned ceremony was a fluke to swindle money from the unsuspecting public.

The Lagos State Police Command had arrested the 65 years old self-acclaimed Obi of Lagos', Azubike, and three orders while planning to launch fund raising for his installation as the 'Obi of Lagos.'

Recall that a similar case took place on April 1, 2023 when the Eze Ndigbo of Ajao Estate, Frederick Nwajagu, was arrested for unlawfully parading himself as a titled Chief in Lagos with threats to invite the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Lagos state.

The Police in Lagos state, however, on Thursday, said that the self-styled Obi of Lagos', Azubiike, 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.

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.