The Ogun State Police Command has declared controversial singer Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, wanted over an alleged violent attack on officials of the Ogun State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.
The police, in a statement on Monday night, alleged that Portable led a gang of nine thugs armed with a firearm and other dangerous weapons to assault unarmed officials who had gone to enforce government regulations.
The officials sustained injuries but managed to escape and reported the incident to the Ota Area Command.
According to reports, the attack happened at Odogwu Bar in Oke-Osa, Tigbo Ilu Ota, where the government officials encountered an elderly man, later identified as Portable’s father, during their enforcement exercise.
Portable has since taken to social media, posting videos to apologise to the Ogun State Government over the incident.
However, the police in a statement on X (formerly Twitter) announced that a court order had been obtained to declare the singer wanted.
“The Ogun State Police Command has obtained a valid court order declaring him wanted. Members of the public are strongly advised to assist the Police by providing any valuable information that can lead to his immediate arrest.
“Anyone found aiding or harbouring the suspect will face legal consequences,” the statement read.
The police urged citizens with relevant information to report to the nearest station or contact the Ogun State Police Command through its official channels.
This development comes two weeks after nine of Portable’s associates were arraigned before a Magistrate Court in Isabo, Abeokuta, for allegedly assaulting officers of the Ota Zonal Planning Office of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.
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) – were charged with felony, assault, unlawful restriction, possession of weapons and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.
They all pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Police prosecutor Sunday Ekong told the court that the defendants, along with Portable (who remains at large), unlawfully assaulted and obstructed three town planning officers – Abidemi Onabanjo, Ramon Lateef, and Akinpelumi Oyero – while they were performing their official duties at Odogwu Bar.
Ekong further alleged that the defendants and the singer acted in a manner likely to cause a public disturbance.
The offences contravened Sections 516, 356(3), 80, 249(d) and 320 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State, 2006.
Magistrate O.M. Somefun granted each defendant bail in the sum of N5 million, with sureties in like sum. The sureties, the court ruled, must be licensed bondsmen registered with the Ogun State Government.
The case was adjourned to March 17, 2025, for hearing.
