Habeeb Okikiola, the Nigerian singer better known as Portable, has once again found himself ensnared in controversy, a recurring theme in his tumultuous career. The latest episode unfolded when Ogun State authorities sealed his uncompleted building and hotel in Ota, citing illegal development without an approval permit. What began as a regulatory enforcement escalated into a violent confrontation, with Portable allegedly assaulting three officials from the Ogun State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development during an inspection in the Ota area. This incident, reported on February 22, 2025, has thrust the singer back into the legal spotlight, culminating in his arrest and arraignment.
Following the altercation, nine of Portable’s accomplices were swiftly apprehended and arraigned before a magistrates’ court on five-count charges, including felony, assault, and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace. The Ogun State Police Command invited Portable to address the allegations, but he failed to appear, prompting authorities to declare him wanted. Instead of complying, the singer took to social media, releasing multiple videos appealing to the public and the government for intervention. In a bizarre twist, he described himself as “a madman undergoing treatment” at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital in Aro, Abeokuta, pleading for leniency from Nigerians and the Ogun State government.
Portable eventually surrendered to the police in Lagos, from where he was transferred to Ogun State. He faced a magistrates’ court in Abeokuta, charged with five counts: conspiracy, assault, restriction, being armed with cutlasses and guns, and conduct likely to cause harm. The court granted him bail set at N2 million, with his case adjourned to March 5, 2025. Post-bail, Portable declared a shift in priorities, stating, “I’m not looking for wahala anymore, I’m looking for money,” signaling a desire to move past the drama—a sentiment echoed in related news headlines.
This incident is merely the latest in a string of controversies that have defined Portable’s career since his rise to fame with the 2021 hit “Zazoo Zehh.” His journey has been marked by publicized feuds with industry figures like Davido, Poco Lee, Kogbagidi, and Spyro. After “Zazoo Zehh,” Portable accused collaborator Poco Lee of financial misconduct, claiming he was cheated out of performance earnings. Similarly, he clashed with his then-manager Kogbagidi, alleging exploitation, though the two later reconciled. These disputes underscore a pattern of volatility that has kept Portable in the headlines as much for his antics as his music.
His personal life mirrors this chaos. Portable is known to have multiple children with different women, currently linked to four partners: Omobewaji Ewatomi, his first wife; Honey Berry and Ashabi Simple, both baby mamas; and Queen Dami, an estranged girlfriend. While he often celebrates these relationships publicly, they have not been without strife. In December 2024, a public fallout with Queen Dami led to their separation, highlighting the turbulence that characterizes his romantic entanglements. These multifaceted dynamics—moments of affection interspersed with disputes—add yet another layer to Portable’s contentious persona.
The sealing of his property and subsequent legal battle reflect broader themes in Portable’s narrative: defiance, confrontation, and a knack for turning adversity into spectacle. His social media appeals, laced with dramatic flair, and his eventual surrender suggest a strategic retreat rather than a full capitulation. The N2 million bail, while a financial burden, offers him a chance to regroup, though the adjourned case looms as a reminder of unresolved consequences.
Portable’s career and life remain a rollercoaster of highs and lows, from chart-topping success to courtroom appearances. Whether this latest saga marks a turning point—prompting the shift from “wahala” to wealth he claims—or simply another chapter in his saga of controversies, only time will tell. For now, the singer’s story continues to captivate, a blend of raw talent and unbridled unpredictability that keeps Nigeria watching.
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