- Safiu Kehinde
Nigerian musician, Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has been granted N2 million bail by the Isabo Magistrate Court in Abeokuta.
Portable, who surrendered himself to the Lagos State Criminal Investigations Department (SCID) on Wednesday after being declared wanted by the Ogun State Command, was arraigned on charges of assault and obstruction of government officials.
Prior to his arraignment on Thursday, he was transferred to the Ogun State Police Headquarters, Eleweran.
He was presented before Magistrate O. L. Oke with a five-count charge bothering on conspiracy, assault, restriction, being armed with cutlasses and guns, and conduct likely to cause harm.
Portable, however, pleaded not guilty to all charges after being read to him.
His counsel, Oluwatoyin Ayodele, pleaded for bail, assuring the court that Portable “is now remorseful and has learnt his lessons.”
In his verdict, Magistrate O. L. Oke granted the singer bail in the sum of N2 million with one surety in like sum and adjourned the case until 5th of March for trial.
Meanwhile, arraigned alongside Portable were nine of his aides who were arrested during the fracas at his bar in Sango-Ota area of Ogun state.
The accused individuals, including 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).
They were charged with felony, assault, obstruction, and conduct likely to breach public peace.
According to report, the Ogun State Government had earlier condemned Portable’s alleged actions, describing him as a “serial dissident and unrepentant rascal.”
NPO reported that the singer and his associates allegedly attacked three town planners—Abidemi Onabanjo, Ramon Lateef, and Akinpelumi Oyero—while they were performing their official duties his bar on the 5th of February.