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In a shocking turn of events, Abuja-based legal practitioner and human rights activist Deji Adeyanju has blasted the Lagos State Command of the Nigeria Police Force for their alleged humiliation of controversial singer Habeeb Okikiola, widely known as Portable.
This outburst follows the singer's dramatic arrest over a civil matter that has taken the internet by storm.
This outburst follows the singer's dramatic arrest over a civil matter that has taken the internet by storm.
Earlier Portable's arrest on Tuesday stemmed from a botched car purchase deal. The singer allegedly failed to settle his debt after acquiring a luxury G-Wagon from a car dealer.
Portable, who initially paid N13 million for the vehicle priced at N27 million, reportedly refused to pay the outstanding N14 million, citing that the car was defective.
Portable, who initially paid N13 million for the vehicle priced at N27 million, reportedly refused to pay the outstanding N14 million, citing that the car was defective.
Social media exploded with outrage after a video surfaced showing policemen forcefully apprehending the singer, sparking widespread condemnation.
Reacting to the incident on Wednesday, Adeyanju lambasted the police, emphasizing that security agencies are not debt recovery agents and denouncing the humiliating treatment of Portable.
“Our attention has been drawn to a video making the rounds on the internet where Nigerian singer, Mr. Habeeb Okikiola (AKA Portable) was seen being humiliated by persons suspected to be officers of the Nigerian Police Force, in an attempt to forcefully arrest him over a civil matter," Adeyanju stated.
“The unnecessary show of force employed by the officers in the arrest of a non-violent Nigerian citizen over a civil dispute stands condemned. For the umpteenth time, it is necessary to state that security agencies, especially the Nigerian Police, are not debt recovery agencies and they have no role whatsoever to play in any alleged breach of contractual disputes.
“This point has been restated by the appellate courts on several occasions in cases like NA ALLAH v KOFAR KADE (NIG) LTD (2020) LPELR-49596 (CA), Okafor & Anor v AIG Police Zone II Onikan & Ors (2019) LPELR – 46505 (CA), etc.
“The Nigerian Police must return to its constitutional mandate and resist the urge to dabble into all manner of civil disputes, while more pressing crimes go uninvestigated,” Adeyanju declared.
He posted the statement on his X handle with the caption:
"STATEMENT ON THE PUBLIC HUMILIATION AND UNNECESSARY USE OF FORCE IN THE ARREST OF MR. HABEEB OKIKIOLA (PORTABLE) OVER A CIVIL DISPUTE."
See the screenshot below:
As this scandal continues to unfold, the public remains divided, with many questioning the priorities and actions of the Nigerian Police Force amidst growing concerns over civil rights violations and misuse of power.
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