The Ogun State Police Command has dismissed claims by controversial singer Habeeb Okikiola, aka Portable, regarding undergoing psychiatric treatment, clarifying that he remains a wanted individual.
In a video released on Tuesday, Portable referred to himself as a “madman” and stated that he was receiving treatment at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta.
He made the statement while appealing to Nigerians and the Ogun State Government after the state police command declared him wanted.
Omolola Odutola, the state Police Public Relations Officer, told PUNCH Metro on Tuesday that Portable remains wanted and is expected to turn himself in for questioning.
She said, “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.”
The singer was allegedly involved in a violent incident with three officials from the Ogun State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Ota Zonal Office—TPL Onabanjo Abidemi, TPL Raymond Lateef, and TPL Ridwan Oyero Akinlesi—while they were carrying out an enforcement exercise at Oke-Osa, Tigbo Ilu Ota, Ogun State.
The officials stated that they initially encountered Portable’s father at Odogwu Bar, where he informed them that his son was not present. Soon after, the controversial singer reportedly arrived with a firearm and, accompanied by nine thugs, launched an attack on the unarmed officials.
The police revealed that the enforcement officers sustained injuries but were able to flee and report the incident at the Ota Area Command, which then referred the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department. While nine of Portable’s alleged associates were arrested, the singer reportedly escaped the scene and has been in hiding ever since.
In the statement declaring him wanted, Odutola disclosed that several formal invitations were sent to Portable, asking him to appear at the command’s headquarters. However, he intentionally ignored these requests and failed to provide any legal representation.
“Following his repeated evasion, the Ogun State Police Command has obtained a valid court order declaring him wanted,” she added.
In reaction to the allegations, Portable took to Instagram on Tuesday, posting a series of messages where he argued that he was being framed because he wore a vest featuring the image of Ogun West lawmaker, Senator Adeola Solomon, also known as Yayi. He also repeated his earlier assertions of mental instability and a history of treatment at a psychiatric hospital.
“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.
“I am from Abeokuta, and they are taking care of me there. I am not a thief; I help people around me without even looking at their background,” he added.
Meanwhile, Damilare Oloyede, Senator Adeola’s Special Assistant on New Media, has stated that the legislator has no connection to Portable’s troubles.
He said, “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?”
“For the umpteenth time, Senator Yayi is a law-abiding public servant. He is a responsible leader to his constituents, followers, and admirers. Hence, he won’t, can’t, and will never tolerate irresponsible acts around him,” Oloyede concluded.
