‘Police have no role in debt recovery’ — lawyer faults Portable’s arrest

Pelumi Olajengbesi, the Abuja-based legal practitioner, has tackled the police over the arrest and detention of singer Portable over debt allegations.

Portable was arrested by the Lagos state police command for allegedly failing to pay the debt he incurred after purchasing his G-Wagon from a car dealer.

The ‘Zazoo Zeh’ hitmaker was said to have bought the vehicle worth N27 million but paid only N13 million.

Portable allegedly refused to pay the remaining N14 million and whenever the car dealer requested his money, he always claimed the vehicle was having issues.

The singer also jumped over a gate while attempting to evade arrest. He was however caught and forcibly carried by four police officers into a waiting vehicle.

Reacting via Facebook on Wednesday, Olajengbesi said the method of debt recovery employed by the police “blatantly disregarded the country’s laws”.

The lawyer, who represents celebrities like D’banj, Moses Bliss, and Mercy Chinwo, also argued that “indebtedness is not a criminal offense, even the Nigerian government has debts”.

“Although Portable may be troublesome, his arrest and the method of debt recovery employed by the Nigerian Police Force is a blatant disregard to our laws,” he wrote.

“This 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.

“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.

“Section 32(2) of The Police Act 2020, arrests based solely on civil wrongs or breaches of contract are expressly prohibited.

“The Nigerian Police Force reducing its Esteem Globally everyday. And to Portable, resisting arrest is an offence on its own.”