Police scoff at Portable describing himself a “madman”, his Senator says he should face the law for his “irresponsibility, lack of decorum”
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
A kite flown on Tuesday by musician Habeeb Okikiola, also known as Portable, claiming to be a madman has been shut down by police, insisting he remains wanted and must face justice over alleged assault on Ogun government officials.
Ogun Police Command made the clarification sequel to a video Portable posted on social media declaring that he is a “madman” and is receiving treatment at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta.
His elder sister Gbemisola had also claimed about two weeks ago that the controversial artiste is acting under a spiritual spell cast on him by a member of their family.
“One of our family members, Akeem, is the one casting [a] spell on Portable, he is the one spiritually influencing Portable to misbehave and offend Nigerians,” said in a video posted on social media.
Gbemisola made the claim following Portable’s ongoing battles with Ogun government which escalated on February 7 when Abeokuta condemned his “rascality” in his reaction to officials of Ogun State Planning and Development Permit Authority, (OGPDPA) at his bar in Iyana Ilogbo, Ota.
Portable in the latest video on Tuesday pleaded with Nigerians and the Ogun government following the police declaring him wanted.
However, state Police Public Relations Officer Omolola Odutola maintained that Portable must surrender himself for investigation.
“Portable will come and submit himself. He cannot be in the psychiatric hospital in Aro. Everybody knows he is a wanted person. If he is in any facility, the police must be informed. He is a wanted man,” she told Vanguard.
The police declared Portable wanted after an alleged violent confrontation with three officials of OGPDPA – Onabanjo Abidemi, Raymond Lateef, and Ridwan Akinlesi – who were reportedly attacked during an enforcement exercise at Portable’s bar at Oke-Osa, Tigbo Ilu Ota in Ogun.
The officials narrated that they first encountered Portable’s father at Odogwu Bar, who claimed the singer was not available. Shortly after, they claimed, Portable arrived with a firearm and, along with nine thugs, attacked the unarmed officials.
The officials sustained injuries but managed to escape and report the incident to the Ota Area Police Command, which later transferred the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID).
Nine of Portable’s associates were arrested but he fled the scene and has been in hiding since.
The police disclosed that multiple invitations were sent to Portable requesting his appearance at the command’s headquarters, but he ignored them without providing any legal representation.
“Following his repeated evasion, the Ogun State Police Command has obtained a valid court order declaring him wanted,” Odutola added.
Reacting on Instagram, Portable claimed he is being framed due to his association with Senator Adeola Solomon, popularly known as Yayi, who represents Ogun West.
He also reiterated that he has a mental health condition for which he receives treatment at the psychiatric hospital.
“I fear government. I am a federal government liability. I am a madman and take medications regularly. You can confirm from Aro Hospital – I have a patient card. I am not a thief; I help people,” Portable said.
But Yayi reacted through his Media Assistant Damilare Oloyede by distancing himself from Portable’s legal troubles.
“Portable should be responsible for once. Senator Yayi won’t help him in this predicament – it is purely a result of his irresponsibility, lack of decorum, and display of lunacy (as he himself admitted). Name-dropping won’t help him evade justice,” Oloyede warned.
“For the umpteenth time, Senator Yayi is a responsible leader and will never tolerate irresponsible acts around him.”
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