Jelili Gbadamosi
An Abuja-based legal practitioner, Pelumi Olajengbesi, has criticised the Nigerian Police operatives over the arrest and detention of Lagos-based hip-hop singer, Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, on grounds related to debt.
The Lagos-based hip-hop singer was apprehended by the police for allegedly failing to settle a N14 million debt accrued from the purchase of a car.
In a widely circulated video, the controversial music star was captured attempting to evade arrest by leaping over a gate on Tuesday.
Another video depicted him being forcibly carried by four police officers into a waiting vehicle.
In response to the arrest, Olajengbesi voiced his concerns, stating on Wednesday that Portable’s arrest and the method of debt recovery employed by the Nigerian Police Force blatantly disregarded the country’s laws.
“The mode of arrest highlights the deteriorating state of the Nigerian Police Force. It’s crucial to note that indebtedness is not a criminal offense; even the Nigerian government has debts,” he remarked.
Olajengbesi emphasized that arrests based solely on civil wrongs or breaches of contract are expressly prohibited under Section 32(2) of the Police Act 2020.
He cited legal precedents to support his argument, stating, “The courts have consistently emphasized that the police should refrain from involvement in civil matters such as debt recovery or contractual disputes unless there are allegations of fraud, such as obtaining under false pretenses, cheating, or criminal breach of trust.
“The lawyer referenced specific cases such as Oceanic Securities Int. Ltd. Vs Balogun & Ors (2012
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