The Lagos State Police Command has described the planned coronation of 65-year-old Chibuike Azubike, who styled himself as the “Obi of Lagos,” as a scam. Azubike was arrested on Wednesday along with three others after announcing the unveiling of a supposed N1.5 billion “Obi of Lagos Palace” at Apple Hall, Amuwo Odofin, scheduled for Saturday, September 13.
In a statement on Thursday, the command’s Deputy Public Relations Officer, DSP Babasaye Oluseyi, said preliminary investigations showed the event was a fraudulent scheme aimed at deceiving unsuspecting Nigerians. He noted that Azubike acted without the recognition or backing of any legitimate chieftaincy authority.
“It was established that the planned unveiling of the ‘Obi of Lagos Palace’ was designed as a ploy to swindle unsuspecting personalities and other Nigerians of their hard-earned money. The principal suspect acted alone, without support from any recognised traditional institution,” the statement said. Police also revealed that Azubike, who had introduced himself as an engineer, later confessed that he was only a building materials supplier.
The Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, urged Lagosians to remain vigilant, warning against falling victim to similar fraudulent schemes. He assured that Azubike and his accomplices would be prosecuted once investigations were concluded.
The police said they deployed operatives, including the Eko Strike Force, to halt the planned ceremony and maintain order. This is not the first time security agencies have clamped down on self-styled monarchs in Lagos. In April 2023, security operatives arrested Frederick Nwajagu, the self-proclaimed Eze Ndigbo of Ajao Estate, after he appeared in a viral video threatening to invite members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to Lagos.
Source: https://punchng.com/
