By Leke Salaudeen, Lagos
The Lagos State Police Command moved swiftly and arrested a man who paraded himself as the “Obi of Lagos.”
The suspect, identified as Chibuike Azubuike, was nabbed along with three accomplices, thus foiling unveiling of a N1.5 billion “palace” in Amuwo Odofin area of Lagos State.
The Daily Crucible gathered that the unlawful chieftaincy title and planned installation were stirring ethnic tension among youths, especially on various social media platforms with many of them deploying harsh and uncouth words against each other during exchange of banters.
In a statement posted on X on Wednesday, the command’s deputy spokesperson, Babasuyi Oluseyi, gave the name of the principal suspect as 65-year-old Chibuike Azubuike, an indigene of Obodoukwu in Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State. 
A 57-year-old Chibuzor Ani, 65-year-old Martins Nwaodika, and 41-year-old Ikechukwu Franklin Nnadi were also arrested over activities allegedly linked to the unlawful title and installation ceremony.
The police said intelligence revealed that the suspects planned to unveil a prototype of a purported Palace of Obi of Lagos State and celebrate an Ofala/new yam festival on Saturday, 13 September, at Apple Hall, Amuwo Odofin.
“Acting on this information, the police promptly sealed off the venue in order to forestall any breach of the peace and to protect unsuspecting members of the public from being misled,” Mr Oluseyi said.
He added that tactical teams, including the Eko Strike Force, were deployed to the venue to ensure law and order prevail.
An invitation card obtained by the police described the programme as the unveiling of the “N1.5 billion Palace of Obi of Lagos State and the celebration of the first Ofala/new yam festival.”
The Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, urged residents to be vigilant against impostors who exploit revered cultural institutions for selfish gain.
He said such actions are illegal under the Obas and Chiefs Law of Lagos State (2015) and capable of disturbing public order.
The police said investigations into the suspects’ activities are ongoing and that they will be charged to court.
Concerns over a recurring issue of Eze Ndigbo in Lagos keep surfacing. State law does not recognise the Eze Ndigbo title, which is sometimes claimed by Igbo community leaders.
In the reckoning of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, parading oneself as an Eze Ndigbo without recognition is punishable by up to two years in prison under the Obas and Chiefs Law (2015).
The Daily Crucible reports that the Lagos State Government had in recent years arraigned Frederick Nkemdilim Nwajago, the self- acclaimed Eze Ndigbo of Ajao Estate, for alleged terrorism.
He was also accused of parading himself as a traditional ruler without state approval. He was equally heard in a trending video threatening to invite members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB) to protect Igbo business interest in Lagos.
Meanwhile, the Lagos state government is currently reviewing the Obas and Chiefs Law to modernise traditional governance and address abuses of chieftaincy titles.
The Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice Lawal Pedro (SAN) had in June this year said that the reforms aim to strengthen respect for traditional rulers while aligning the institution with contemporary governance.
