Dust rose in the air as vehicles and motorcycles maneuvered along the unpaved road leading to Odogwu Bar and Lounge, a pub owned by Nigerian singer Habeeb Badmus, better known as Portable. Situated in Iyana Ilogbo, within the Sango Ota area of Ogun State, the club has become a popular destination for partygoers, music artists, and street youths looking to unwind.
However, following a confrontation last week between Portable’s supporters and government officials carrying out routine checks on illegal structures, locals have been speaking about the incident in hushed tones. When our correspondent visited Iyana Ilogbo Street on Thursday morning, many residents kept quiet, wary of the pop artist’s influence in the area.
A drive along the sandy road in the Oke Osa area, where Portable’s bar is located, revealed a mix of underdeveloped homes, eroded streets, and makeshift wooden bridges connecting various parts of the neighborhood. Situated near a gated, incomplete one-storey building, Odogwu Bar is enclosed by colorful walls painted in blue, purple, and yellow.
During the visit, the bar appeared deserted, with only two stern-looking men seated by the entrance, guarding the property. When our reporter stopped to observe the bar and the structure next to it, the two men fixed suspicious stares on him, their eyes watching his every move.
Pretending to be a passerby waiting for a friend, our correspondent noticed that the unfinished building beside the bar had been marked and had a government notice posted on it.
“What are you looking for here?” one of the men snapped when they saw the reporter approaching the structure. “We don’t want anyone here—leave now. Who are you looking for?” the other man ordered.
A local resident, who requested anonymity, clarified that it was the uncompleted building, not the bar, that was sealed by the authorities. “That is Portable’s house under construction, but it’s right in the middle of the road. The house was sealed, not the bar. When the officials marked the building for removal, Portable became furious and slashed the tires of the vehicle brought by the inspectors.”
He continued, “He threw stones at the officials, causing a commotion. Portable was the one who stirred up trouble. He even went to the police station to report the incident, but the officials still had their way.”
Another resident, Gboyega Oluwole, described Portable as someone with substantial influence in the community. “He helps people, buys things for locals, and has won many hearts. Naturally, the area boys came to his defense that day. But I can’t say if everyone arrested by the police was involved in the attack. Still, Portable shouldn’t have escalated the situation,” he remarked.
Oluwole also shared why the men guarding the club were on edge. “Since the incident, people have been avoiding Odogwu’s club because they don’t know what might happen next. The police could show up again and arrest anyone,” he said.
A Controversial Figure
Portable has been no stranger to controversy since rising to fame. Known for his bold, multi-colored hairstyle and high-energy performances, his life has been marked by various dramas, including conflicts with his baby mamas and street altercations.
The 30-year-old artist frequently uses his social media accounts, especially Instagram, to share glimpses of his personal life, often mixing admiration with criticism from his followers.
However, on February 4, Portable found himself at the center of a major incident when officials from the Ogun State Planning and Development Permit Authority came to inspect illegal structures in the Ibogun and Ota areas. Sources say that as the officials carried out their checks, Portable—on the opposite side of the road—taunted them, calling himself the “town planner of Sango.” His friends allegedly joined in, harassing the officials until they were forced to leave the area.
The following day, when the officials returned, they reportedly met with Portable’s father, explaining their purpose. While they marked the unfinished building for removal, Portable and some local youths arrived on motorcycles and attacked the officials.
“Portable ordered Okada riders to chase after the officials and beat them. His boys were with him. They beat the officials so badly that they had to run off in their cars. I saw everything from a nearby petrol station, where we had to protect the officials. It was there that the police showed up,” Haruna, a local motorcyclist, told our correspondent.
Police Arrests
After the altercation, police arrived and arrested nine individuals around the Odogwu Bar area, allegedly involved in the attack. Sources say that Portable and several street youths managed to flee but were urged to turn themselves in.
The arrested suspects were brought before an Abeokuta Magistrates’ Court on charges including felony, assault, obstruction, armed violence, and intent to kill. Although the case was adjourned until March 17, the suspects were granted bail at N5 million each, with sureties required.
In a post on Instagram, Portable claimed that more than 20 people, including his customers, had been arrested, and their vehicles seized. He alleged that state officials were targeting him because of his support for a politician, Senator Solomon Adeola, also known as Yayi.
“It’s because of the clothes I wore in support of Yayi that they are angry and trying to set me up,” Portable said in a video. “I’m not fighting anyone. The only issues I have are with my house, my bar, and my money.”
Portable challenged the officials to provide proof of any assault by him or his associates and demanded the release of his employees, who he claimed were between the ages of 19 and 27. “My bar was destroyed, workers were injured, and customers were beaten when they raided the place,” he lamented.
In another post, Portable wrote, “I need to protect my family and property. All I need now is prayer and support. If you spoil me for the people who love me, you will die young.”
State Government Responds
The Ogun State government has condemned Portable’s actions. A statement from the Special Adviser to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Information, Kayode Akinmade, called Portable “a serial dissident and unrepentant rascal” who regularly assaults government officials. Akinmade described Portable’s alleged attack as “unacceptable and barbaric” and promised that the incident would be addressed according to the law.
“Governor Dapo Abiodun condemned this primitive act and reaffirmed his commitment to a just society,” the statement read, emphasizing that no one, regardless of status, would be exempt from facing legal consequences.
Portable Turns to Religion
In the midst of his legal troubles, a video emerged showing Portable praying at an undisclosed white garment church. In the footage, he was seen dressed in traditional white clothing, prostrating in prayer within a modest structure decorated with crosses and beach sand.
Despite previously promoting Yoruba indigenous spirituality, Portable’s turn to Christian worship sparked mockery from some social media users who questioned his sudden shift.
In one of his Instagram posts, Portable expressed despair, asking for divine intervention. “Let your grace speak for me,” he wrote. “This life has tired me, but your grace will never tire me.”
Earlier, he had criticized his father for not supporting him after he was declared wanted by the police. “Why didn’t my father go to the police station to cover me? He’s a bad father. I’m the one funding the construction of those houses, but he’s the one enjoying the money,” he lamented.
This is not the first time Portable has been involved in violent confrontations with authorities. In 2023, he was arrested by the Ogun State Police Command for allegedly assaulting police officers.
Punch
