Ogun Govt Condemns Portable For Assaulting Officials At His Bar

The Ogun State Government has condemned hip-hop artiste Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, for his unruly behaviour towards officials of the Ogun State Planning and Development Permit Authority (OGPDPA) at his bar in Iyana Ilogbo, Ota.

Portable, who is currently on the run, allegedly obstructed, restrained, and assaulted town planners Ramon Lateef, Akinpelumi Oyero, and Abidemi Onabanjo while they were performing their duties.

Nine associates of Portable were arraigned at a Magistrates’ Court in Ogun on Thursday for allegedly assaulting government officials.

The defendants, aged between 19 and 28, are Oluwaseun Ayenuwa, Precious Ohiegebo, Oluwapelumi Adeosun, Gospel Kanu, Nurudeen Warris, Adetola Alashe, Fatimo Muhammed, Ifeoluwa Babatunde, and Samuel Adeleke.

The defendants face multiple charges, including armed violence, felony, obstruction, assault, conduct likely to cause a breach of peace, and attempted murder. The court granted them bail at N5 million each.

Governor Dapo Abiodun, through his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, on Friday, described Portable as a “serial dissident and unrepentant rascal” who consistently attacks government officials without provocation.

Akinmade stated that the “indecent act” would be addressed in accordance with the law. He added that Portable’s behaviour has become “shameful and intolerable” to both residents and the government due to the “chaos and fear” he incites.

He emphasised the Abiodun administration’s dedication to tackling unlawful activities and promoting ethical standards in the state.

“We are profoundly taken aback by the unpleasant and uncivil act of the hip-hop artiste, Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, on Wednesday, in the Iyana-Ilogbo area of the State where his bar is located,” the statement said.

“The way in which Portable and some miscreants he employed in the dastardly act attacked the officials of the OGPDPA is not only bizarre but a confirmation of the erosion of Omoluabi ethos in those individuals and indeed a great disgrace to the state.

“Governor Dapo Abiodun totally condemned this primitive and indecent act and reiterated his avowed commitment to a just and egalitarian society as he is ready to make any individual flouting the extant law of the land face the full wrath of the law irrespective of social status and influence,” the statement concluded.