How Self-Proclaimed ‘Obi Of Lagos’ Plotted ₦1.5bn Palace Unveiling Scam — Police
The Lagos State Police Command has revealed how a 65-year-old man, identified as Engr. Chibuike Azubike, allegedly masterminded a ₦1.5bn fraudulent palace unveiling scheme while parading himself as the “Obi of Lagos.”
Azubike, who was arrested alongside three accomplices, had scheduled a bogus installation ceremony at Amuwo Odofin before detectives swooped in and aborted the plan.
Giving an update on the arrest, the command’s spokesperson, DSP Babaseyi B. Oluseyi, said preliminary investigations showed that the suspect had no legitimate claim to any traditional title in Lagos State.
According to Oluseyi, Azubike confessed during interrogation that he was not a certified engineer as he had claimed but merely a supplier of construction materials.
He said, “Police investigations revealed that the suspect had announced plans to unveil the prototype of a ₦1.5bn ‘Palace of Obi of Lagos State’ at Apple Hall, Amuwo Odofin, on Saturday, September 13, 2025. Detectives established that the event was designed as a ploy to defraud dignitaries and unsuspecting members of the public.”
The spokesperson added that the suspect acted without the backing of any legitimate traditional authority in Lagos.
He urged residents to disregard Azubike’s claims and misleading social media publications.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, assured that all the suspects would be charged to court at the conclusion of investigations.
Jimoh also warned Lagosians to remain vigilant and resist falling prey to similar schemes, stressing that the command remained committed to safeguarding citizens against criminal deception while maintaining peace and order in the state.
Sodiq Lawal is a passionate and dedicated journalist with a knack for uncovering captivating stories in the bustling metropolis of Osun State and Nigeria at large. He has a versatile reporting style, covering a wide range of topics, from politics , campus, and social issues to arts and culture, seeking impact in all facets of the society.
