The Ogun State Police Command has declared controversial singer, Habeeb Olalomi, popularly known as Portable, wanted for allegedly leading a violent attack on government officials carrying out their lawful duties.
In a statement issued on Monday, the command’s spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, said the incident occurred on February 5, 2025, around 10:00 a.m. when 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 – were conducting an enforcement exercise at Oke-Osa, Tigbo Ilu Ota.
During the exercise, the officials encountered an elderly man, later identified as Portable’s father, at Odogwu Bar, a property linked to the singer.
Upon introducing themselves and requesting the building’s approved plan, Portable’s father informed them that his son was unavailable.
However, moments later, Portable, armed with a firearm and other dangerous weapons, led a gang of nine thugs in an attack on the unarmed officials.
The enforcement officers sustained various injuries but managed to escape and reported the assault to the Ota Area Command, which escalated the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further action.
While nine of Portable’s accomplices were arrested, the singer fled the scene and has since gone into hiding.
Odutola stated that multiple formal invitations were sent to Portable, requesting his presence at the Ogun State Police Command Headquarters, Eleweran, Abeokuta, but he deliberately ignored them without offering any legal representation.
“Following his repeated evasion, the Ogun State Police Command has obtained a valid court order declaring him wanted,” the statement read.
The police urged the public to assist in locating the singer.
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“Members of the public are strongly advised to provide any valuable information that can lead to his immediate arrest. Anyone found aiding or harbouring the suspect will face legal consequences.”
For any relevant information, citizens are encouraged to report to the nearest police station or contact the Ogun State Police Command through its official communication channels.
This development comes two weeks after the police arraigned nine of Portable’s associates 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, however, 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 stated that the defendants and the musician were armed with weapons and acted in a manner likely to cause a public disturbance.
The offences, he said, contravened Sections 516, 356(3), 80, 249(d), and 320 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State, 2006.
Presiding over the case, Magistrate O.M. Somefun granted the each of the defendants N5m bail, with sureties in like sum.
The magistrate said the sureties must be licensed bondsmen registered with the Ogun State Government.
The case was adjourned until March 17, 2025, for hearing.
(The PUNCH, excluding headline)
