Controversial Nigerian singer, Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has been arraigned and granted N2 million bail by a Magistrate Court in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, over an alleged assault on government officials.
The singer faced a five-count charge before the Isabo Magistrate Court in Abeokuta, which included conspiracy, assault, obstruction, and conduct likely to cause harm, with allegations that he and his associates were armed with cutlasses and guns. However, Portable pleaded not guilty.
Similarly, nine of his aides were arraigned on related charges before Magistrate O. L. Oke. The accused include Nurudeen Warris (21), Adetola Alashe (25), Samuel Adeleke (28), Oluwaseun Ayenuwa (19), Oluwapelumi Adeosun (20), Gospel Kanu (20), Precious Ohiegebo (19), Ifeoluwa Babatunde (27), and Fatimo Muhammed (26).
The defendants were charged with felony, assault, and obstruction, with allegations that they used weapons while engaging in conduct likely to breach public peace and endanger lives. They allegedly attacked and restricted the movements of town planners Abidemi Onabanjo, Ramon Lateef, and Akinpelumi Oyero while the officials were carrying out their lawful duties at Odogwu Bar, a nightclub owned by Portable.
Following Portable’s plea of not guilty, his counsel, Oluwatoyin Ayodele, appealed to the court for bail, stating that the singer “is now remorseful and has learnt his lessons.”
Magistrate O. L. Oke granted bail set at N2 million, with one surety in like sum, and adjourned the case until March 5 for trial.
Meanwhile, Tribune Online reports that Portable surrendered himself to the Criminal Investigations Department (SCID) at the Lagos Command on Wednesday after being declared wanted by the Ogun State Police Command.
He was subsequently transferred to the command’s headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta.
Recall that the Ogun State Police Command had earlier declared Portable wanted for allegedly assaulting three state government officials while they were on official duty at his bar in Sango, Ogun State.
