‘An unrepentant rascal’ — Ogun State government slams Portable for attacking officials

The Ogun state government has strongly condemned the alleged attack by singer Portable on officials of the Planning and Development Permit Authority (OGPDPA).

The incident occurred when OGPDPA officials visited Portable’s Odogwu bar and restaurant to seal the property due to a lack of approved permits and insufficient air space.

Portable had claimed that the officials stormed his bar, arrested over 20 people, including artistes and customers, and seized vehicles, gadgets, and personal belongings.

However, Olatunji Odunlami, the commissioner for physical planning, dismissed Portable’s claims as “spurious and blatant falsehood”.

The altercation led to the arrest and arraignment of nine people on a five-count charge, including armed violence, felony, obstruction, assault, and intent to kill.

They were granted bail of N5 million each with sureties who are licensed bond agents registered with the state government.

The case was adjourned until March 17 for further hearing.

In a statement released on Saturday, Kayode Akinmade, the special adviser to Governor Dapo Abiodun, expressed the government’s shock and disappointment at Portable’s “uncivil actions”.

The government described the attack on its officials as “bizarre and a disgrace to the state”.

It also referred to the controversial singer “as serial dissident and unrepentant rascal who has been in the habit of assaulting government officials without provocation”.

According to the statement, Abiodun condemned the incident and declared that anyone found culpable would be punished according to the law.

“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 Iyana-Ilogbo area of the state where his bar is located,” the statement reads in part.

“The way in which Portable and some set of miscreants he employed in the dastardly act attacked the officials of the OGPDPA is not only bizarre but a confirmation of erosion of Omoluabi ethos in those individuals and indeed a great disgrace to the state.

“Governor Dapo Abiodun totally condemned this primitive and indecent act and reiterated his avowed commitment to just and egalitarian society as he is ready to make any individual flouting the extant law of the land to face the full wrath of the law irrespective of social status and influence.”

The post ‘An unrepentant rascal’ — Ogun State government slams Portable for attacking officials appeared first on 36ng.