Police Arrest Self-Proclaimed ‘Olu of Ikeja’, Set to Arraign Him Over Alleged Impersonation
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested one Adeniyi Illo, who allegedly paraded himself as the Olu of Ikeja, following a petition alleging conspiracy, impersonation and conduct likely to cause a breach of 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, and was subsequently endorsed by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Fatai Tijani.
According to police sources, the petition alleged that Illo had presented himself as the new Olu of Ikeja after being purportedly installed openly during a ceremony by a group of individuals, during which he was allegedly adorned with a beaded crown and other royal regalia associated with a crowned Yoruba king.
The petitioner alleged that the purported installation was carried out without due authority from the Lagos State Government, thereby raising concerns over alleged impersonation of the traditional ruler of Ikeja Kingdom and the possibility of the development causing a breach of peace.
Sources said the case was assigned to the General Investigation Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Lagos, under the direct supervision of Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP Dayo Akinbisehin, for discreet investigation.
Detectives reportedly served invitation letters on the alleged suspect, but Illo allegedly failed to honour the invitations on several occasions.
It was gathered that investigators subsequently obtained a warrant for his arrest, a process that could have led to his being declared wanted through police official gazette due to gravity of offence which bothers on serious assault against yoruba traditional values and institution.
He was however arrested and taken into custody, with detectives commencing further investigation into the circumstances surrounding the purported installation.
Police sources said the suspect is currently assisting investigators and is expected to be charged to court soon upon the conclusion of the ongoing investigation.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by the SCID, Panti, under the command and control of CP Fatai Tijani ably assisted by DCP Dayo Akinbisehin to proactively investigate all allegations capable of threatening public order and to deploy discreet, intelligence-led policing in resolving such sensitive criminal and other disputes across Lagos State before getting escalated.
