‘In the midst of poverty?’ Oba of Lagos claims $2m was stolen from his palace, Nigerians react

Freelanews March 4, 2021

Nigerians on social media have reacted to the claims by Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, that $2 million and N17 million were stolen when youths attacked his palace last October in the violence that erupted after the EndSARS protests.

Oba Akiolu had said $2m and N17m were stolen from his palace during the raid while speaking at the Glover Hall Memorial Commissioning, Lagos, on Wednesday.

He said, “Many buildings were burnt, including vehicles used to generate income. I can now say publicly that they stole $2 million and N17 million from my palace.”

Recall that some hoodlums in the area had invaded the monarch’s palace during the protest against the extra-judicial killing of Nigerians by operatives of the now disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

This was after soldiers opened live ammunition on protesters at the Lekki toll plaza on October 20, 2020.

Some of the hoodlums at the time destroyed property in Akiolu’s residence and went away with the staff of the office.

Reacting, some Nigerians called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate Oba Akiolu for money laundering, while others expressed disappointment, adding that there is no honour among thieves and no thief should ever complain of being stolen from because what was stolen didn’t belong to him.

Here are some comments Freelanews gathered:

@ehiokupa, “There is no honour among thieves. No thief should ever complain of being stolen from because what was stolen didn’t belong to you in the first place. Know this and know peace. Long live Kabiyesi.”

@uncle_ajala, “The Oba of Lagos says that $2 million and N17 million were stolen when hoodlums attacked his palace during the last #EndSARS protest. He should be telling EFCC what he was doing with that amount and how he got the $2m after this revelation.”

@Seagad01, “There are some matters that should not be discussed in public, this former police officer disappointed me o.”

@Gabafolayan, “But how will the Oba of Lagos have $2 million in his house? To imagine that he just discovered that after how many months? EFCC, where are you?”

@ZARIACONNECT, “It’s possible, but Kabiyesi by now ought to be answering questions on why such a huge amount of cash were lying idle inside his palace.”

@yhyfuntua, “That is good! After playing so much to the gallery.”

@archywale1, “My question is, what is kabiesi doing with such a huge sum of money in the palace when Nigeria has about 22 commercial banks?”

@bakatsine, “In the midst of poverty! God dey.”

@JamiluA93503085, “Only a few banks operate with these sum within their possession, and what the hell is he doing with such an amount in his palace?”