February 20, (THEWILL) – Controversial Nigerian singer, Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has pleaded not guilty to a five-count charge bordering on assault, conspiracy, and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.
The Ogun State Police Command had declared the singer wanted on Tuesday over an alleged attack on officials from the Ogun State Planning and Development Permit Authority.
He was detained on Wednesday after turning himself to the police.
Portable was arraigned on Thursday before the Isabo Magistrate Court in Abeokuta, where he was accused of leading an armed gang to assault government officials.
The charges against him included conspiracy, assault, willful obstruction, and wielding dangerous weapons, including cutlasses and firearms.
When the charges were read, the singer pleaded not guilty before Magistrate O.L. Oke.
Following a bail application by his lawyer, Oluwatoyin Ayodele, the court granted Portable bail in the sum of N2 million with one surety in like sum.
The case was adjourned to March 5 for trial.
Meanwhile, the Ogun State Police Command has detailed the events leading to Portable’s arrest, stating that on February 5, 2025, at about 10:00 am, enforcement officials from the Ogun State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Ota Zonal Office, were carrying out their duties in the Oke-Osa, Tigbo Ilu Ota area when they encountered Portable’s father at a location known as Odogwu Bar.
According to the police, after identifying themselves and requesting an approved building plan, the elderly man informed them that his son was unavailable.
However, moments later, Portable allegedly stormed the scene with a gang of nine armed men and launched an attack on the officials, leaving them with injuries.
“The officials managed to escape and reported the incident to the Ota Area Command, which escalated the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further action. While nine of his accomplices were arrested, Portable fled and went into hiding,” the police stated.
The police further noted that multiple invitations were sent to the singer, requesting his presence at the Ogun State Police Command Headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta, but he repeatedly ignored them without providing any legal representation.
The trial is expected to commence in March.
