The arraignment of the self-acclaimed “Obi of Lagos,” Chibuike Azubuike, and three others before the Lagos State High Court was on Monday stalled due to the absence of the fourth defendant.
Azubuike, alongside Chief Martins Nwaodika, Chibuzor Ani, and Dr. Sunday Udeh, was charged before Justice Abdul-Raheem Muyideen by the Lagos State Government over alleged unlawful assembly and creation of a chieftaincy title.
They face a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, unlawful assembly, and illegal creation of a chieftaincy title, offences said to contravene Sections 411 and 34 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
According to the charge, the defendants allegedly conspired among themselves between August and September 13, 2025, at Ikotun, Lagos, to unlawfully create the titles “Obi Ndigbo Lagos State” and “Dike Oha Ndigbo Lagos State” without lawful authority. They were also accused of committing a related offence on November 8, 2024, at No. 6, Anjorin Street, beside Total Filling Station, Lawanson.
When the case came up for arraignment, the session could not proceed as the fourth defendant, Udeh, failed to appear in court.
State prosecutor B. T. Adaramola informed the court that the matter was fixed for arraignment and that he was ready to proceed.
Azubuike’s counsel, Moses Apasogu, reminded the court that the previous adjournment was also due to the same defendant’s absence. Chris Obiaka appeared for Ani, while Charles Onyaka represented Nwaodika and Udeh, who are the second and fourth defendants, respectively.
Onyaka apologised on behalf of Udeh, saying he had contacted him and that the 77-year-old had assured him of his attendance but failed to show up. “I will crave the indulgence of this court to allow one more adjournment. He is a 77-year-old man; he couldn’t come to court the last time due to health reasons,” Onyaka pleaded.
He undertook to produce the defendant on the next adjourned date, saying, “I undertake to produce the fourth defendant to this court on October 31, 2025.”
However, Obiaka urged the court to direct the prosecution to amend the charge so that the first to third defendants could be arraigned in the absence of the fourth to avoid further delay.
Justice Muyideen ordered that the first to third defendants remain in police custody pending their arraignment and adjourned the matter to October 31, 2025.
The Lagos State Police Command had earlier described the planned coronation of Azubuike, who paraded himself as the “Obi of Lagos,” as fraudulent.
Azubuike was arrested along with three others after announcing plans to unveil a ₦1.5 billion “Obi of Lagos Palace” at Apple Hall, Amuwo Odofin, which was scheduled for September 13, 2025.