The Ogun State Police Command has declared Nigerian singer Habeeb Olalomi, popularly known as Portable, wanted over an alleged violent attack on government officials carrying out their lawful duties.
The announcement came in a statement issued on Monday by the command’s spokesperson, Omolola Odutola. According to the statement, the incident took place on February 5, 2025, at approximately 10:00 a.m. in Oke-Osa, Tigbo Ilu Ota, where officials from the Ogun State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development were conducting an enforcement exercise.
During the operation, three town planning officers—TPL Onabanjo Abidemi, TPL Raymond Lateef, and TPL Ridwan Oyero Akinlesi—arrived at Odogwu Bar, a property linked to the controversial musician. Upon arrival, they encountered an elderly man later identified as Portable’s father.
The officials introduced themselves and requested to see the approved building plan for the property. Portable’s father reportedly informed them that his son was unavailable at the time and did not provide any documentation.
Shortly after this interaction, the situation escalated when Portable allegedly arrived at the scene, armed with a firearm and accompanied by a group of nine thugs. According to the police, the singer and his gang launched an unprovoked attack on the unarmed officials, causing them to sustain injuries.
In the chaos that ensued, the town planning officers managed to escape and later reported the incident to the Ota Area Command. Following their report, the case was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.
While nine of the individuals who participated in the assault were apprehended, Portable himself fled the scene and has since gone into hiding. Police efforts to get him to cooperate with the investigation have proven futile, as he has repeatedly ignored official invitations to appear at the Ogun State Police Command Headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta.
The authorities revealed that he neither honored the invitations nor provided any legal representation on his behalf.
Due to his continued evasion, the police have now secured a court order declaring Portable a wanted fugitive. “Following his repeated evasion, the Ogun State Police Command has obtained a valid court order declaring him wanted,” Odutola stated in the official police report.
The command further urged the public to assist in locating the singer, warning that anyone found aiding or harboring him would face legal consequences.
“Members of the public are strongly advised to provide any valuable information that can lead to his immediate arrest. Anyone found aiding or harboring the suspect will face legal consequences,” the statement added.
Citizens with any relevant information were encouraged to report to the nearest police station or contact the Ogun State Police Command through its official communication channels.
This development comes just two weeks after nine of Portable’s associates were arraigned before a Magistrate Court in Isabo, Abeokuta, on charges of assaulting officials of the Ota Zonal Planning Office.
The accused individuals—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 multiple offenses, including felony, assault, unlawful restriction, possession of weapons, and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.
During their court appearance, all nine defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. The police prosecutor, Sunday Ekong, told the court that the defendants, acting alongside Portable, had unlawfully assaulted the town planning officers while they were performing their official duties.
He further stated that the accused individuals, along with the musician, had armed themselves with dangerous weapons and acted in a manner likely to incite public unrest.
Ekong emphasized that the offenses violated multiple sections of the Ogun State Criminal Code, including Sections 516, 356(3), 80, 249(d), and 320 of the 2006 Criminal Laws of Ogun State. These laws criminalize conspiracy to commit felony, assaulting public officers, unlawful possession of weapons, and conduct likely to cause a public disturbance. Given the severity of the allegations, the prosecution urged the court to ensure strict bail conditions to prevent further disruptions.
Presiding over the case, Magistrate O.M. Somefun granted each of the defendants bail set at N5 million, with sureties required in the same sum. The magistrate specified that the sureties must be licensed bondsmen registered with the Ogun State Government. The case was subsequently adjourned until March 17, 2025, for the commencement of trial.
As the police intensify their search for Portable, the situation has sparked widespread reactions across Nigeria, with many debating the singer’s history of controversial behavior. The case serves as a significant legal test for law enforcement authorities in enforcing accountability, particularly among high-profile individuals.
With the trial of his associates set to begin in March, all eyes remain on the Ogun State Police Command to see whether they will successfully bring Portable to justice.
