Seun Emmanuel
The Ogun State Government has condemned the “rascality” of hip-hop artiste Habeeb Okikiola, known as Portable, for his behaviour towards officials of the Ogun State Planning and Development Permit Authority, OGPDPA, at his bar in Iyana Ilogbo, Ota.
Portable, who is currently at large, allegedly unlawfully restricted, obstructed, and assaulted town planners Ramon Lateef, Akinpelumi Oyero, and Abidemi Onabanjo while they were performing their duties.
Nine of his associates―Oluwaseun Ayenuwa, 19; Precious Ohiegebo, 19; Oluwapelumi Adeosun, 20; Gospel Kanu, 20; Nurudeen Warris, 21; Adetola Alashe, 25; Fatimo Muhammed, 26; Ifeoluwa Babatunde, 27; and Samuel Adeleke, 28―were arraigned before an Abeokuta Magistrates’ Court on Thursday for allegedly assaulting the officials. They face charges including armed violence, felony, obstruction, assault, conduct likely to cause a breach of peace, and intent to kill. Bail was set at N5 million each.
Governor Dapo Abiodun, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, described Portable as a “serial dissident and unrepentant rascal” who habitually assaults government officials without provocation.
Akinmade said the “indecent act” would be addressed according to the law. He added that Portable’s actions are becoming “shameful and intolerable” to locals and the government, given the “chaos and fear” he incites.
He emphasised the Abiodun administration’s commitment to ridding the state of illegal activities and establishing morality.
“We are profoundly taken aback by the unpleasant and uncivil act of the hip-hop artiste, Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, on Wednesday, in the Iyana-Ilogbo area of the State where his bar is located,” the statement said.
“How Portable and some miscreants he employed in the dastardly act attacked the officials of the OGPDPA is not only bizarre but a confirmation of the erosion of Omoluabi ethos in those individuals and indeed a great disgrace to the state.
“Governor Dapo Abiodun condemned this primitive and indecent act and reiterated his avowed commitment to a just and egalitarian society as he is ready to make any individual flouting the extant law of the land face the full wrath of the law irrespective of social status and influence,” the statement concluded.
