From Assault to Debt Disputes: 4 times Portable has been in legal trouble

• Nigerian controversial singer Habeeb Okikiola is known for being embroiled in controversial situations, ranging from baby mama issues to assault
• He has been recently accused of assaulting multiple individuals, including a young boy and government officials
• TheRadar compiled the singer's run-ins with the law over the years

Nigerian singer Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has not only made headlines for his music but also for his numerous encounters with the law. 

From alleged assaults to debt disputes, the controversial artiste has been involved in several high-profile cases that have raised concerns about his behaviour. 

Following recent allegations of verbally and physically assaulting government officials in Ogun State and the subsequent arrest of some of his protégés, TheRadar compiled four occurrences where Portable found himself on the wrong side of the law.

4 times Portable found himself in trouble with the law:

1. The June 22, 2022 police dispute  

In June 2022, the Ogun State Police Command ordered Portable to report to their office or risk being declared wanted. This came after a video surfaced, allegedly showing the singer instructing his boys to beat up a young boy, leaving him injured.

In an official statement, the police condemned such violent acts, emphasising that public figures should serve as role models. Despite the invitation, Portable failed to respond to the police’s summons. 

2. The March 2023 police arrest

In March 2023, Portable was once again in trouble for allegedly assaulting another young man.  

Prior to this event, the singer had repeatedly ignored police invitations regarding previous incidents.

The situation escalated when the authorities issued a final warning, stating that if he failed to report, they would come for him.

On March 31, the police moved in to arrest him. In a viral video, Portable resisted, declaring, “I am a baboon, I live in the zoo,” while claiming he was a government asset who could not be arrested.

Despite his protests, he was eventually taken into custody and granted bail set at N300,000. He was also ordered to provide two sureties with landed properties within the court’s vicinity.

3. The May 14, 2024 debt dispute

Amid his controversy involving his baby mamas and industry colleagues, Portable found himself embroiled in another controversy with a client which ended up in his arrest.

 The Lagos State Police Command arrested the singer for failing to settle a N14 million debt owed to a car dealer. Portable had purchased a G-Wagon worth N27 million but paid only N13 million, later refusing to clear the balance on the grounds that the vehicle was faulty.

When police officers arrived to arrest him, he attempted to evade capture by jumping over a gate. However, four officers restrained him and forcefully escorted him into a waiting police vehicle.

4. The February 6, 2025 clash with government officials 

Portable’s latest controversy involves allegations of verbally and physically assaulting government officials who were serving notices for the demolition of illegal structures. In connection with the incident, nine of his protégés were arraigned in court for allegedly attacking the officials.

As law enforcement took swift action, Portable appeared in an emotional video pleading for mercy, causing a stir on social media. 

While the case unfolds, the public awaits the outcome, whether the singer will face legal consequences or manage to evade punishment once more.

8 notable controversies of Nigerian singer Portable you should know

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that Nigerian controversial singer Habeeb Okikiola is arguably one artiste who never misses out on controversy and it is either someone is ‘ripping’ him or there’s a feud with one celebrity or the other. 

Following his recent controversial statements and videos trending, TheRadar compiled 8 times the singer has been involved in a controversy.