After days of evading the authorities, Nigerian music star Portable has finally surrendered himself to the police. The controversial singer, whose real name is Habeeb Okikiola Olalomi, walked into the State Criminal Investigations Department (SCID) in Lagos on Wednesday morning, according to Benjamin Hundeyin, the spokesperson for the Lagos police.
The ‘Zazoo Zeh’ hitmaker had been declared wanted by the police on February 18 for his alleged involvement in an assault on three officials from the Ogun State Planning and Development Permit Authority (OGPDPA). The incident took place on February 5 when the officials attempted to seal Portable’s bar for operating without the necessary permits and with insufficient air space.
The situation reportedly escalated when Portable allegedly led a group in violently attacking the unarmed officials, who sustained injuries but managed to flee the scene. The altercation resulted in the arrest and arraignment of nine of Portable’s associates on multiple charges, including armed violence, assault, felony, obstruction, and intent to kill. They were each granted bail of N5 million with sureties registered with the state government. The case is set to continue on March 17.
Portable had been on the run for nearly two weeks, using various excuses to avoid arrest, including claiming he was a “madman” undergoing treatment at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital in Abeokuta.
With his surrender, the Lagos police confirmed they had contacted the Ogun State police and will be transferring Portable for further investigation. He is expected to face potential prosecution in Ogun.
