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Street Singer Portable Released on Bail After Spending Night in Police Custody

Written by Jerry Alomatu on May 16, 2024

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The Lagos State Police Command has recently released the well-known street artist, Habeeb Okikiola, commonly known as Portable, following his overnight stay in police custody.

Portable’s apprehension occurred on Tuesday in the Abule Egba locality of Lagos, purportedly due to his failure to settle the outstanding balance for a G-Wagon vehicle he had purchased from a car dealer.

Reportedly, the ‘Zazoo Zeh’ singer had acquired the vehicle valued at ₦27 million but had only remitted ₦13 million, leaving a ₦14 million balance unpaid.

In a widely circulated video, Portable was observed scaling a gate as police officers approached him with an arrest warrant. Another video depicted him being forcibly restrained, handcuffed, and transported by approximately four policemen into a waiting vehicle.

Amidst the commotion, the voice of a woman, purportedly the car dealer, could be heard in the background expressing anger and recounting how Portable had allegedly threatened her upon her request for payment of the outstanding debt.

Benjamin Hundeyin, the police spokesperson in the state, confirmed to Channels Television that Portable was granted bail on Wednesday following his overnight detention. Hundeyin stated that both Portable and the car dealer are expected to reconvene at a later date.

“This is not the first time the singer has encountered legal troubles. In April 2023, the ‘Zazoo Zeh’ artist was arrested in Ogun State and subsequently arraigned on five counts, including alleged assault and theft, at the Ifo Magistrate Court in the Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State. He was later remanded at the Ilaro Correctional Centre but was released upon meeting his bail conditions.”