The Ogun State Police Command has rejected claims by controversial musician Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, that he is receiving psychiatric treatment at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta.
Portable made the statement in a video on Tuesday, February 18, appealing to Nigerians and the Ogun State Government after being declared a wanted man by the police.
In the video, Portable described himself as a “madman” and claimed he was undergoing treatment for his mental health at Aro Psychiatric Hospital, further asserting that he feared government authorities.
He appealed to the public to understand his condition, insisting that he was not a criminal but someone who helps people around him.
However, Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, dismissed these claims, maintaining that the singer remains a wanted individual.
Odutola spoke, stating, “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.”
Portable has been in hiding since a violent altercation with officials from the Ogun State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development during an enforcement exercise at Oke-Osa, Tigbo Ilu Ota, Ogun State.
According to reports, Portable’s father initially informed the officials that his son was unavailable, but the singer later arrived at the scene, armed with a firearm and accompanied by nine thugs.
The altercation led to injuries for the ministry officials, who managed to flee and report the incident to the Ota Area Command.
Following the incident, nine of Portable’s alleged associates were arrested, but the singer himself fled and has been evading arrest.
Despite multiple invitations from the police, Portable has failed to attend questioning, prompting the police to obtain a court order declaring him wanted.
In response to these developments, Portable took to Instagram on Tuesday, February 18, to further defend himself, claiming he was being framed due to his association with Senator Adeola Solomon (popularly known as Yayi), the lawmaker representing Ogun West.
READ ALSO: Portable insists he’s a mental health patient as Police declare him wanted
Portable implied that his wearing of a vest bearing the senator’s image had led to the police targeting him unfairly.
“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 said in his social media post.
He also repeated that he has medical records confirming his mental health condition, insisting that he is under treatment at the psychiatric hospital.
However, Senator Yayi’s Special Assistant on New Media, Damilare Oloyede, distanced the lawmaker from the singer’s predicament. Oloyede urged Portable to take responsibility for his actions rather than using the senator’s name as a shield to avoid justice.
“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?” Oloyede said in a statement.
Oloyede reiterated that Senator Yayi is a law-abiding public servant and would not tolerate any form of irresponsible behaviour around him.
The case has further sparked public debate on accountability and the behaviour of public figures in Nigeria, with many questioning whether Portable’s claims of mental instability should be taken into account in the ongoing legal process.
The Ogun State Police Command has reiterated its intention to continue pursuing Portable for questioning, with no clear indication as yet when the singer will submit himself for investigation.
