‘Olu of Ikeja’ Claim Lands Man in Police Custody

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested Adeniyi Illo for allegedly proclaiming himself the Olu of Ikeja and impersonating a traditional ruler without lawful authority.
A police source said Illo was arrested following a petition alleging conspiracy, impersonation and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.
The petition, received on July 28, was submitted by the Association of African Traditional Religion, Nigeria and Overseas, through a covering letter endorsed by the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu. It was subsequently endorsed by the Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Tijani, for discreet investigation.
According to the source, Illo allegedly proclaimed himself the new Olu of Ikeja and was purportedly installed by a group of individuals during a ceremony where he was adorned with a beaded crown and other royal regalia associated with a crowned Yoruba king.
The purported installation, the source said, was carried out without the authority of the Lagos State Government, raising concerns over alleged impersonation of the traditional ruler of Ikeja Kingdom and the possibility of a breach of peace.
The case was subsequently assigned to the General Investigation Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Lagos, under the supervision of Deputy Commissioner of Police, Dayo Akinbisehin, for further investigation.
The source said detectives served several invitation letters on the suspect, but he allegedly failed to honour them.
Investigators later obtained a warrant for his arrest, leading to his eventual apprehension and detention.
Further investigation is ongoing into the circumstances surrounding the alleged installation, while the suspect is said to be cooperating with detectives.
He is expected to be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of the investigation.
The source said the case reflected the commitment of the SCID, under CP Tijani and DCP Akinbisehin, to intelligence-led policing and the prevention of threats to public order.