The planned arraignment of the self-acclaimed ‘Obi of Lagos,’ Chibuike Azubuike, and three others before the Lagos State High Court sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square 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 by the Lagos State Government before Justice Abdul-Raheem Muyideen on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, unlawful assembly, and the creation of a chieftaincy title without lawful authority.

The defendants were accused of conspiring among themselves to unlawfully create the titles “Obi Ndigbo Lagos State” and “Dike Oha Ndigbo Lagos State.” The alleged offences were said to have occurred between August and September 2025 in the Ikotun area of Lagos, and on or about November 8, 2024, at No. 6, Anjorin Street, beside Total Filling Station, Lawanson.

According to the charge, their actions contravened Sections 411 and 34 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

During Monday’s proceedings, the arraignment could not proceed as the fourth defendant, Dr. Udeh, was absent. The state prosecutor, B.T. Adaramola, told the court he was ready to proceed, but defence counsel confirmed Udeh’s absence had also caused a previous adjournment.

Azubuike’s lawyer, Moses Apasogu, and Ani’s lawyer, Chris Obiaka, were present, while Charles Onyaka represented both Nwaodika and Udeh.

Apologising for his client’s absence, Onyaka explained that Udeh, aged 77, had health challenges and could not appear in court. He said he had contacted Udeh earlier that morning, and the defendant had assured him that he was on his way 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 who couldn’t come to court the last time due to health reasons,” Onyaka pleaded, undertaking to produce Udeh on the next adjourned date.

Obiaka, however, urged the court to direct the prosecution to amend the charge to enable the first to third defendants to be arraigned separately, so that the case would not be stalled again.

Justice Muyideen ordered that the first to third defendants remain in the custody of the Lagos State Police Command pending their arraignment and adjourned the matter to October 31, 2025.

The Lagos State Police Command had earlier described Azubuike’s planned coronation as “fraudulent.” He was arrested in September after announcing plans for the unveiling of a ₦1.5 billion “Obi of Lagos Palace” at Apple Hall, Amuwo Odofin, which was scheduled for September 13, 2025.