Uodate: Obi of Lagos’ N1.5bn palace unveiling was a scam– Police give update
For weeks, Lagos social media had been buzzing with excitement, curiosity, and controversy over a planned “₦1.5 Billion Palace Unveiling” by a man who introduced himself as Engr. Chibuike Azubike, the so-called “Obi of Lagos.”
Glossy invitations circulated online, complete with mockups of a palatial estate, elegant gold-lettered typography, and promises of a “historic cultural moment.” Influencers debated the event’s legitimacy, and even a handful of well-known personalities RSVP’d in anticipation of a spectacle that could rival traditional coronations in the East.
But just days before the big reveal, the Lagos State Police Command made a dramatic intervention, arresting Azubike and three alleged accomplices. The police statement, signed by Deputy Public Relations Officer SP Oluseyi, declared the entire affair a scam — a carefully orchestrated attempt to defraud “unsuspecting personalities and other Nigerians of their hard-earned money.”
The very title “Obi of Lagos” raised eyebrows from the beginning. Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital, is historically governed by the Oba of Lagos, a well-established traditional ruler whose palace on Lagos Island is a centuries-old institution.
The term Obi, however, is a chieftaincy title rooted in Igbo tradition, usually reserved for kings and leaders of Igbo communities. For someone to combine both terms — Obi and Lagos — was unusual, if not provocative.
Investigations revealed that Azubike had spent months curating an image of himself as a philanthropist, cultural revivalist, and engineer spearheading a “pan-Nigerian royal renaissance.”
On Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), he posted images of himself in full regalia — embroidered red caps, lion-head beads, and flowing agbada — often standing before rented luxury cars and mock architectural plans.
He styled himself as “HRM Engr. Chibuike Azubike, Obi of Lagos State,” signing off posts with royal proverbs and lofty promises to “bridge the cultural divide” between Lagos’ Yoruba indigenes and its large Igbo population.
According to SP Oluseyi’s official statement, the police investigation revealed three critical facts:
- Azubike is Not a Licensed Engineer:
Despite presenting himself as an “Engineer,” he admitted to police that he is merely a supplier of construction materials. His supposed engineering credentials were fabricated to give weight to his palace project. - The Palace Project Was Fictional:
The “₦1.5 Billion Palace” had no approved architectural plan, no legitimate construction site, and no recognized traditional council backing. It was a phantom project designed to solicit donations, sponsorships, and goodwill from prominent Lagosians. - He Acted Alone:
Contrary to speculation that there might be a syndicate or political faction backing him, the police said Azubike acted alone — although three others were arrested for aiding the scheme.
SP Oluseyi urged Lagos residents to disregard Azubike’s claims and warned against “misleading publications on social media aimed at causing disaffection among the peace-loving people of Lagos.”
Azubike’s operation followed a familiar playbook used by scammers who exploit Nigerians’ deep respect for tradition and social status.
He began by hosting small “cultural dialogues” in hotels across Lagos, often inviting local Igbo businessmen and promising them seats in his yet-to-be-formed “royal council.” Attendance was free, but participants were encouraged to pledge donations to the “palace fund.”
Azubike hired a small PR team to design glossy posters and social media campaigns. “Save the Date” posts featured renderings of a sprawling white palace with gold accents, accompanied by dramatic captions like:
“History will be made. A palace for the future. Lagos will never be the same.”
VIP invitations were sent to politicians, business moguls, and celebrities, subtly suggesting that attending the unveiling would grant them cultural prestige and future influence.
Potential donors were given bank account details and “sponsorship packages” ranging from ₦500,000 for individuals to ₦50 million for corporate patrons.
The story didn’t just expose a scam — it sparked a fiery cultural debate about identity, belonging, and the politics of chieftaincy in Lagos.
Many Yoruba traditionalists saw Azubike’s claim as an insult to the stool of the Oba of Lagos.
“There is only one king in Lagos. Anyone calling himself Obi of Lagos is courting trouble,” said Chief Bode Fashola, a member of the Lagos Island Council of Chiefs.
Conversely, some Igbo groups argued that Lagos’ large Igbo population deserves cultural representation — though most disavowed Azubike.
“We do not support fraud, but we also believe that Igbo people in Lagos should have a recognized traditional leader like in other states,” said Dr. Uche Nwosu of the Igbo Cultural Association.
Within hours of the police statement, X and TikTok were flooded with memes comparing Azubike’s “₦1.5 Billion Palace” to Nollywood set designs.
Some users joked that the police saved Nigerians from attending a “palace opening ceremony inside a rented event hall.” Others expressed outrage at how easily high society figures almost fell for the ploy.
Influencers launched spaces and live streams debating the gullibility of elites and the growing culture of performative wealth in Nigeria.
Experts say scams of this nature succeed because they exploit three powerful psychological triggers:
- Aspirational Appeal: Nigerians have a deep respect for royalty, and many are eager to be associated with traditional institutions that confer prestige.
- Fear of Missing Out (FOMO): The exclusivity of a “₦1.5 Billion Palace Unveiling” made some feel they had to be present to remain relevant in social circles.
- Authority Bias: By using the title “Engineer” and dressing in regalia, Azubike appeared authoritative and trustworthy.
Police have confirmed that Azubike and his alleged accomplices will be arraigned in court upon completion of investigations.
If charged with fraud, conspiracy, and impersonation, he could face a lengthy prison term under Lagos State criminal law.
Legal analysts say the case could set an important precedent for handling impersonation of traditional titles — a crime that has seen a spike in recent years.
This saga raises deeper questions about how Nigeria balances its respect for tradition with the challenges of a modern, multicultural society.
- Should Lagos formally recognize non-Yoruba traditional leaders?
- Should there be stricter regulations around the use of titles like “Obi,” “Oba,” or “Emir”?
- How can Nigerians better guard against scams that exploit cultural institutions?
The “Obi of Lagos” scandal is more than just a bizarre headline — it’s a case study in the intersection of culture, fraud, and the power of social media.
It has forced Lagosians to confront questions about legitimacy, gullibility, and the dangers of conflating cultural pride with unchecked opportunism.
As police prepare their charges and society debates the lessons learned, one thing is clear: Nigeria must find ways to protect its rich traditions from being hijacked by fraudsters in designer caps and fake titles.