Police Arrest Self-Proclaimed ‘Olu of Ikeja’, Set to Arraign Him Over Alleged Impersonation

 Police Arrest Self-Proclaimed ‘Olu of Ikeja’, Set to Arraign Him Over Alleged Impersonation

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a man identified as Adeniyi Illo, who allegedly paraded himself as the Olu of Ikeja, following a petition accusing him of conspiracy, impersonation and conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace.

The petition, dated July 28, 2026, was submitted by the Association of African Traditional Religion Nigeria and Overseas through a covering letter from His Royal Majesty, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, the Oba of Lagos. The petition was subsequently endorsed by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Fatai Tijani.

According to police sources, the petitioner alleged that Illo presented himself as the new Olu of Ikeja after purportedly being installed during a public ceremony by a group of individuals.

During the ceremony, he was allegedly adorned with a beaded crown and other traditional regalia associated with a Yoruba monarch.

The petition further alleged that the purported installation was conducted without the requisite authority of the Lagos State Government, raising concerns over alleged impersonation of the traditional ruler of Ikeja Kingdom and the potential for the development to trigger a breach of peace.

Following the petition, the matter was assigned to the General Investigation Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Lagos, under the supervision of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP Dayo Akinbisehin.

Detectives reportedly invited Illo on several occasions to assist with the investigation, but he allegedly failed to honour the invitations.

Sources said investigators subsequently obtained a warrant for his arrest in connection with the allegations.

Illo was eventually arrested and taken into police custody, where detectives commenced further investigation into the circumstances surrounding his alleged installation and claims to the traditional title.

The suspect is reportedly assisting the police with the investigation and is expected to be arraigned in court upon completion of the investigation.

The development underscores the Lagos State Police Command's efforts to investigate allegations capable of threatening public order, particularly disputes involving traditional institutions, while deploying intelligence-led policing to prevent potentially sensitive matters from escalating into broader security challenges.

The SCID, Panti, is conducting the investigation under the command of CP Fatai Tijani, with DCP Dayo Akinbisehin overseeing the investigation.

Illo remains presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.