SP Oluseyi said investigation carried out so far has revealed that the principal suspect, Engr. Chibuike Azubike, confessed to the Police that he is not a qualified engineer.
The Lagos State Police Command has revealed that the planned unveiling of a N1.5 billion palace was a ploy to scam people of their hard earned money.
Lagos Police said its ongoing investigation into the activities of the self-acclaimed Obi of Lagos has shown that he was a member of a fraud syndicate.
In a statement released, the deputy spokesperson of the command, SP Oluseyi said investigation carried out so far has revealed that the principal suspect, Engr. Chibuike Azubike, confessed to the Police that he is not a qualified engineer but merely a supplier of construction materials to construction companies, which formed the basis upon which he has been parading himself as an engineer.
Oluseyi mentioned that: ‘’further findings revealed that the planned unveiling of the “Obi of Lagos Palace” was fraudulently designed as a ploy to swindle unsuspecting personalities and other Nigerians of their hard-earned money under the guise of the “…unveiling of the prototype of a ₦1.5 BILLION PALACE of Obi of Lagos State.
It was also established that the principal suspect acted alone, without the backing or recognition of any legitimate chieftaincy authority. Members of the public are therefore enjoined to disregard his claims and other misleading publications on social media aimed at causing disaffection among the peace-loving people of Lagos''
He went further to say that investigation is ongoing, and all suspects involved will be arraigned in court upon conclusion of the investigation.
The state police command on Wednesday arrested the suspect and three others after an invitation to the palace unveiling went viral and caused an uproar on social media. Som Nigerians condemned Azubuike for addressing himself as the Obi of Lagos.