CONTROVERSIAL SINGER Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, remains a wanted man despite his claims of undergoing psychiatric treatment, the Ogun State Police Command has declared.
The Explainer gathered that Portable, in a video on Tuesday, pleaded with Nigerians and the Ogun State Government, asserting that he is a “madman” receiving treatment at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta. However, the police dismissed the claim as an attempt to evade justice, reiterating that he must submit himself for investigation.
Police spokesperson Omolola Odutola, addressing journalists on Tuesday, firmly stated that Portable’s self-declared mental instability does not absolve him of his legal responsibilities.
“Portable will come and submit himself. He cannot be in the psychiatric hospital in Aro. Everybody knows that he is a wanted person. So, if he is going to be in anybody’s facility, the police will not accept that. He is a wanted man,” Odutola asserted.
The singer is at the centre of a criminal investigation following an alleged violent attack on three officials from the Ogun State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Ota Zonal Office, on February 5, 2025. The Explainer gathered that the officials—TPL Onabanjo Abidemi, TPL Raymond Lateef, and TPL Ridwan Oyero Akinlesi—were on enforcement duty at Oke-Osa, Tigbo Ilu Ota, when they encountered Portable’s father at Odogwu Bar, a property linked to the singer.
According to eyewitness accounts, the officials requested the building’s approved plan, but before the matter could be settled, Portable reportedly stormed the scene with a firearm and a gang of nine thugs, launching an attack on the unarmed officials. The enforcement officers sustained various injuries but managed to escape and report the incident to the Ota Area Command, which escalated the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department.
The Explainer learned that while nine of Portable’s alleged accomplices were arrested, the singer fled and has since gone into hiding. The police stated that multiple formal invitations were sent to him, requesting his presence at the command’s headquarters, but he ignored them without offering any legal representation.
“Following his repeated evasion, the Ogun State Police Command has obtained a valid court order declaring him wanted,” Odutola confirmed.
Portable, however, took to social media to suggest that his current ordeal was a political setup, linking his troubles to his public endorsement of Ogun West Senator Adeola Solomon, popularly known as Yayi.
“I fear government. I am Federal Government liability. I am a madman; I have medications that I usually take. You can confirm from Aro Hospital. I have a card that certifies me as one of their patients,” he said in a video shared on Instagram.
Despite his claims, the police remain adamant that Portable must face the law. Odutola insisted that his declaration of mental illness will not interfere with ongoing legal proceedings.
Meanwhile, Senator Adeola’s media aide, Damilare Oloyede, has distanced the lawmaker from Portable’s situation, stating that the singer must take responsibility for his actions.
“Portable should be responsible for once. Senator Yayi won’t help him in this predicament that’s purely a result of his irresponsibility, lack of decorum, and sheer display of lunacy (as confirmed by himself). How does one think name-dropping of Senator Yayi would help him evade justice after being declared wanted by law enforcement agencies?” Oloyede said.
He further emphasised that the senator is a law-abiding public servant who would not condone unlawful behaviour.
“For the umpteenth time, Senator Yayi is a responsible leader to his constituents, followers, and admirers. Hence, he won’t, can’t, and will never tolerate irresponsible acts around him,” he added.
The Explainer gathered that this development follows the recent arraignment of nine of Portable’s alleged associates before a Magistrate Court in Isabo, Abeokuta, for charges including felony, assault, unlawful restriction, possession of weapons, and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.
The defendants—Nurudeen Warris (21), Adetola Alashe (25), Samuel Adeleke (28), Oluwaseun Ayenuwa (19), Oluwapelumi Adeosun (20), Gospel Kanu (20), Precious Ohiegebo (19), Ifeoluwa Babatunde (27), and Fatimo Muhammed (26)—pleaded not guilty.
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Police prosecutor Sunday Ekong informed the court that the defendants and Portable (who remains at large) assaulted and obstructed the town planning officers while they were performing their duties at Odogwu Bar. He further stated that the accused were armed with dangerous weapons and acted in a manner likely to incite public disorder.
Magistrate O.M. Somefun granted each defendant bail set at N5m, with sureties in like sum, specifying that the sureties must be licensed bondsmen registered with the Ogun State Government. The case has been adjourned until March 17, 2025, for a hearing.
The Explainer reported the Ogun State Police Command has declared Portable, wanted for allegedly orchestrating a violent attack on government officials carrying out lawful duties. The incident, which occurred on 5 February 2025 at around 10:00 a.m., reportedly took place at Oke-Osa, Tigbo Ilu Ota, when three officials from the Ogun State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development—TPL Onabanjo Abidemi, TPL Raymond Lateef, and TPL Ridwan Oyero Akinlesi—were conducting an enforcement exercise.
