In a recent interview, Temitope Ogunsanwo, owner of Temmy Autos, elaborated on his decision to take legal action against controversial street singer, Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, over a N14 million debt for a Mercedes Benz GLE 350.
“He (Portable) acquired a car from me,” Ogunsanwo stated. “I got acquainted with Portable through a friend who brought him to my office because he wished to acquire a Mercedes Benz GLE 350.” Despite initially stating he could not accept instalment payments, Ogunsanwo was persuaded by his friend to make an exception for Portable.
Portable agreed to make an initial payment of N12 million but failed to do so, providing only N1 million a week later. Subsequent payments were sporadic and insufficient, with the largest instalment being just N3 million. “Ultimately, he paid a total of N13 million in instalments,” Ogunsanwo noted, lamenting the impact on his business.
Repeated attempts to resolve the issue amicably were met with threats and insults from Portable. “I reported him to his father, his lawyer, and eventually to the police,” Ogunsanwo said. Portable was summoned by the police but refused to appear, leading to his arrest three days ago.
Ogunsanwo provided detailed terms of their agreement, which required full payment of N27 million by February 24, 2024. Portable has only paid N13 million, leaving a balance of N14 million. The payments were made in small amounts, rendering them ineffective for any meaningful business purpose.
Reflecting on the ordeal, Ogunsanwo said, “This will not deter me from assisting individuals in need of business support, but I will be more discerning in future agreements.” He advised fellow car dealers to exercise caution when dealing with high-profile clients, emphasizing the importance of thoroughly vetting potential business partners.
Despite the challenges, Ogunsanwo remains committed to his business. “I am a hardworking Nigerian,” he concluded. “I made significant efforts to accommodate him, but Portable betrayed my trust.”
