The arrested self-acclaimed “Obi of Lagos,” Chibuike Azubike has confessed to the Lagos State Police Command that the planned installation was a scheme to defraud unsuspecting participants.
The Deputy Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Command, Babaseyi Oluseyi disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.
It will be recalled that the 65-year-old Azubike was reportedly 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.
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Boss 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.
The Lagos State Police Command however urged the 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.