Controversial Nigerian singer Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has shared his experience following his recent detention by the police.
In an interview on Echo Room, the singer recounted his time in custody after being detained last month on charges of assault and other related offences.
Portable used the opportunity to address misconceptions about his mental state, refuting claims that he is mentally unstable. He said, “They said I am a crazy person. When I got to the government, I told them I am not crazy.”
Describing his arrival at the cell, Portable revealed that he was met with unexpected respect from the inmates. According to him, the leader of the cell voluntarily stepped down, offering Portable the leadership role, but he refused, insisting that he was not supposed to be there.
Portable also spoke about the harsh conditions within the cell, mentioning that it was common for new detainees to be beaten. However, he noted that he was fortunate to escape such treatment.
“When I entered Cell 4, I blessed them. Normally, they beat new people in the cell. When I got there, the head of the cell dethroned himself for me to become the leader, but I said no, this is not my house. Then I asked what his offence was; he said they accused him of murder. I told him to stay beside me as long as he didn’t kill me,” Portable narrated.
One of the most striking parts of his account was his interaction with inmates accused of murder. He disclosed that some of the cellmates tried to involve him in prayers, but he declined, questioning the effectiveness of such prayers given the circumstances.
“A person said we should pray; I said no, God doesn’t answer this kind of prayer. We aren’t in church. One said he had killed one person, another said he killed two people, and another said three people. I haven’t killed anyone, so our prayers cannot work together. Pray on your own,” he stated.
