The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed that Chibuike Azubike, a 65-year-old man arrested for parading himself as the “Obi of Lagos,” confessed that his planned installation and fundraiser were fraudulent schemes aimed at deceiving unsuspecting participants.

Azubike was arrested on Wednesday with three alleged accomplices while preparing for an unlawful unveiling ceremony.

According to the police, the group had scheduled the launch of a prototype for a purported N1.5 billion “Palace of Obi of Lagos State” on Saturday, 13th September, at Apple Hall in Amuwo Odofin.

In a statement, the command’s Deputy Public Relations Officer, Babaseyi Oluseyi, said the suspect admitted during interrogation that the installation and palace fundraiser were designed to fleece invited guests.

Oluseyi said the suspect also confessed that, contrary to his earlier claims, he is not an engineer but only a supplier of construction materials.

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

According to Oluseyi, 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.

The police added that Azubike had no backing or recognition from any legitimate chieftaincy, authority, saying He and his alleged accomplices will be prosecuted after investigations are concluded.

Oluseyi urged Lagos residents to disregard misleading claims about the incident and remain alert to fraudulent activities.

In his words, the Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, strongly advises Lagosians not to fall prey to fraudsters of the likes of Azubike and his gang.

The arrest has sparked debates on social media, with some questioning the move and others insisting that assuming a traditional title without authorisation amounts to fraud.

A similar case occurred in April 2023 when the Eze Ndigbo of Ajao Estate, Frederick Nwajagu, was arrested for unlawfully parading himself as a titled chief in Lagos.