A frontline monarch in Nigeria, Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, is currently under fire over the comment he made on Wednesday that hoodlums who invaded his palace during the #EndSARS protest stole his $2 million and N17 million.
Akiolu, who spoke at the Glover Hall Memorial commissioning in Lagos on Wednesday, lamented the devastation inflicted on Lagos by the protesters, including his palace.
He said: “I will support anything that will move Lagos forward.
“I have appealed to the Federal Government to assist Lagos with what we have suffered.
“The incident that happened here from October 20th to 23rd is so saddening.
“The destruction we suffered in Lagos is so enormous than in any other part of the country.
“Many buildings were burnt, including vehicles used to generate income.
“I can now say publicly that they stole away from my palace $2 million and N17 million.
“Those who committed the offence would not have done that if they knew the implication.
“But as a father, I won’t place any curse on them.”
The monarch has however been under serious attack on social media as some Nigerians have expressed shock he had that amount of money in his palace.
While some called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to investigate the monarch, others accused him of being “wicked” to have kept such a huge sum of money in his palace while members of his immediate community live in hunger.
Here are some comments from social media: @ayemojubar: “BREAKING: #EndSARS protesters stole $2m, N17m from my palace – Oba of Lagos, Akiolu. Where did a king get $2m and N17m? How about the money-filled casket? EFCC your attention is needed.”
@DrOlufumilayo: “The Oba of Lagos said hoodlums stole 2million US Dollars and 17million naira from his palace. $2million alone is about 1billion naira. How do you have almost 1billion naira in your house? In a sane country, that man will be in a police station this morning answering questions.”
@ChrisTalker247: :In saner climes, Oba of Lagos would be investigated for money laundering for saying he lost $2m and N17m during the #EndSARS protests to hoodlums but this is Nigeria. In other news, the President has ordered security operatives to shoot on sight anyone seen with an AK-47.”
@iamstephenakin: “Oba of Lagos said hoodlums stole some amount of money from him?? Where did he get that money from, why was it in his house?? His people are suffering yet he kept that amount of money at home.. 🤦🏿♂️ It’s the confidence for me. God help us! #EndSARS.”
@chiukwujioke: “EFCC should trace the oba of Lagos. How did he get such amount of money in his house. Abi we have another bourdillion with bullion Vans in his House?”
