The Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, has disclosed that he once rejected a ₦5 million bribe during the military regime of late General Sani Abacha
Speaking on Saturday while marking his 23rd coronation anniversary, the Lagos monarch stated that the incident occurred during the detention of former Lagos governor, the late Sir Michael Otedola, under the Abacha military government.
According to the monarch, he had intervened and appealed to authorities at the time to facilitate the release of Otedola’s international passport, arguing that the military administration needed broader public acceptance.
He explained that after the passport was eventually released, an emissary approached him with an offer of ₦5 million in appreciation, but he declined it.
“It is not because of money. Anything anybody is doing, do it with the fear of God and pray to God,” the monarch said.
He stated that integrity, discipline and fear of God remained the foundation of true leadership and public service.
Reflecting on his 32-year career in the Nigeria Police Force, Oba Akiolu described policing as one of the noblest professions when carried out with honesty and integrity.
The monarch also used the occasion to urge Nigerians to continue supporting President Bola Tinubu’s administration, expressing confidence that the economic and infrastructural reforms being implemented by the Federal Government would eventually produce positive outcomes.
“The journey may be rough, but they will succeed because God Almighty has a way of doing things,” he said.