Portable surrenders to Lagos police hours after being declared wanted

Habeeb Okikiola Olalomi, better known by his stage name Portable, has finally turned himself in to the police after weeks of eluding capture. According to Lagos police spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin, the singer entered the State Criminal Investigations Department (SCID) in Lagos on Wednesday morning. The “Zazoo Zeh” hitmaker was wanted by the police on February 18 in relation to an alleged assault on three officials from the Ogun State Planning and Development Permit Authority (OGPDPA) on February 5 when the officials tried to close Portable’s bar because it lacked authorized permits and had insufficient air space.

The unarmed officials were attacked violently by Portable and his crew, but they were injured but were able to flee.

Nine of Portable’s accomplices were arrested and charged with five counts of armed violence, felony, obstruction, assault, and intent to kill as a result of the confrontation.

With the help of sureties who are licensed bond agents registered with the state government, they were each given N5 million bail. The case was postponed for a follow-up hearing until March 17.

Since February 5, Portable had been evading capture. Additionally, he had used a number of justifications to avoid being arrested, such as saying he was a “madman” receiving treatment at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital in Abeokuta.

Benjamin also disclosed that they had contacted the Ogun state police command to inform them of the development. He added Portable is expected to be transferred to Ogun for further investigation and possible prosecution. Portable recently sought the assistance of Femi Falana, the human rights lawyer. He had earlier pleaded with President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the matter. He also asked Ogun governor Dapo Abiodun to forgive him.