Fear Grips Ndigbo In Lagos Over Arrest Of President General Of Igbo Speaking Community, Chief Sunday Udeh

KINGSLEY EBERE 

This may not be the best of times for Ndigbo in Lagos State following the arrest and detention of the President General of the Igbo Speaking Community, Chief Sunday Udeh. 

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the Lagos Court sitting at Tinubu Square ordered the arrest and detention of Chief Sunday Udeh over his alleged role in the installation of Obi Ndigbo of Lagos State.

The 65-year-old Chibuike Azubuike was arrested along with other accomplice, Chief Chibuzor Ani, Chief Martins Nwaodika and Chief Ikechukwu Franklin Nnadi while parading himself as the “Obi of Lagos.” contrary to the certificate Chief Udeh issued to him as Obi Ndigbo of Lagos meaning leader of Ndigbo in Lagos State.

Chief Azubuike was apprehended with three alleged accomplices during preparations for an unlawful unveiling ceremony to launch a prototype of a purported N1.5bn “Palace of Obi of Lagos State” on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at Apple Hall, Amuwo Odofin.

It was gathered that a petition was written to the Commissioner of Police,  CP Moshood Jimoh against Chief Azubuike and the Police boss ordered his arrest and that of three others and they were detained for interrogation over their alleged Obi of Lagos matter.

During interrogation,  Chief Azubuike was said to have implicated Chief Sunday Udeh by writing in his statement that it was Chief Udeh that issued him certificate as Obi Ndigbo of Lagos State, whereas in his invitation sighted he claimed to be Obi of Lagos State.

Thus, the Police referred the matter to the DPP for legal advice and the DPP’s report implicated Chief Sunday Udeh that he has a case to answer with others now in custody.

Both Chief Udeh, Azubuike and three others were taken to the Court and they were ordered to be remanded in Police custody at Ikeja State Command pending when they will be arraigned before the Court.

Since the arrest and detention of Chief Udeh,  there has been palpable fear among the Igbo leaders who felt that they were no longer safe if their leader,  Chief Sunday Udeh, could be arrested and detained without regard to his position as the leader of the Igbo Speaking Community in Lagos State.

The Igbo traditional leaders are not finding easy in their various Local Council areas because of envisaged hostility. The usual funfair associated with the traditional new yam festival was not witnessed in some areas because of the issue of Obi of Lagos.

The situation worsened because Igbo leaders such as Governors, Senators and top politicians are silent over the matter and seem to have abandoned Chief Udeh to his fate despite the fact that some of them has been contacted to reach the Lagos State Governor.

Ezendigbo of Lagos State, Eze  Christian Nwachukwu, was said to have written to the Oba of Lagos for intervention but it appeared that he did not get favourable response from the highly respected monarch.

Top Igbo Chieftains such as Chief Joe Igbokwe,Eze Uche Dimgba, Chief Chris Ekwilo, Ichie Anselm Njoku and others are silent despite the fact that they are members of the ruling APC party in Lagos State. One of top politicians claimed that he would not get involved to avoid removing his name in the protocol list at Alausa.

The contentious issue and the question among the Igbo in Lagos State is if it was wrong for Chief Udeh to have given Chief Azubuike certificate as Obi Ndigbo of Lagos.  To some, the position Obi Ndigbo is recognized in Igbo land but what they did not agree with is the position of Obi of Lagos, which Chief Azubuike was parading himself as before he was eventually arrested.

The Apex Igbo sociocultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and the Councils of Ndieze Lagos State, have been silent and it appears that they are not doing anything to remedy the situation.

But the Police alleged that the title of Obi of Lagos is not recognized by the Council of traditional rulers and the Lagos State  Government. And therefore, it is an illegal title and the perpetrators should be brought to book.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State High Court has adjourned the matter to 17th November, 2025, for the arraignment of Chief Sunday Udeh, Chief Azubuike and three others.