The arraignment of self acclaim ‘Obi of Lagos,’Chibuike Azubuike, and three others before the State’s High Court,Tafawa Balewa Square, over alleged unlawful assembly, was yesterday,stalled due to the absence of the fourth defendant.
Azubuike alongside Martins Nwaodika, Chibuzor Ani and Sunday Udeh, were charged before Justice Abdul-Raheem
Muyideen, by the Lagos State government.
They are facing three counts bordering on conspiracy, unlawful assembly and creation of chieftaincy title, preferred against them by Lagos State government.
The defendants were accused of conspiring amongst themselves to commit the offences.
The incident happened sometime between August 2025, and September 13, 2025, at Ikotun area of the state.
They were also accused of unlawfully creating a chieftaincy title ‘Obi Ndigbo Lagos State and ‘Dike Oha Ndigbo Lagos State without lawful authority.
They were alleged to have committed the offence on or about November 8,2024, at No 6, Anjorin Street beside total filling station lawanson
According to the charge, the offences committed contravened Sections 411, and 34 , of the criminal laws of Lagos State 2015.
When the matter came up for them to take their plea, the arraignment could not go on as the fourth defendant Udeh, did not show up in court.
The State prosecutor B. T. Adaramola, told the court that the matter was for arraignment and that he was ready to proceed.
Azubuike’s lawyer,Moses Apasogu, reminded the court of the order that was made on the last sitting that prompted the adjournment of today (Monday) following the absence of the same fourth defendant.
Ani’s lawyer Chris Obiaka also announced his appearance, while Charles Onyaka, appeared for Nwaodika and Udeh, who are both second and fourth defendants respectively.
Onyaka apologised on behalf of the fourth defendant, adding that he called Udeh, on the last adjourned date to inform him of today’s date.
The lawyer said that Udeh informed him that he got a text message from the police, informing him of Monday’s arraignment.
He also told justice Muyideen, that before the matter came up he placed a call to Udeh and he assured him that he was on his way, but ended up not showing up.
Onyaka said,” I will crave the indulgence of this court to allow one more adjournment. He is a 77 years old man, he couldn’t come to court that last time on the grounds of health which he went for treatment.”
Onyaka undertook to produce Udeh on the next adjourned date.
” I undertake to produce the fourth defendant to this court on October 31,2025″, he said.
However,Obiaka urged the court to direct the prosecution to amend the charge so that the first to third defendants can been arraigned on the next adjourned date instead of it being stalled again.
The judge ordered that the first to third defendants should remain in the custody of the police command pending their arraignment.
Consequently justice Muyideen, adjourned the matter to October 31,2025, for arraignment.
The Police Command had after arresting the suspects described the planned coronation of
Azubike, who paraded himself as the “Obi of Lagos,” as fraudulent.
Azubike was arrested alongside three other suspects after announcing plans for the unveiling of a N1.5 bn “Obi of Lagos Palace” at Apple Hall in the Amuwo Odofin area of the state that was slated for Saturday, September 13, 2025.
