Portable Pleads Not Guilty To Assault And Unlawful Detention, Granted ₦2M Bail; Trial Set For March 5

Controversial singer Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable and the creator of “Zaazoo Ze Crooner,” has been arraigned before a Magistrate Court in Abeokuta for allegedly assaulting government officials.

Portable voluntarily reported to the Criminal Investigations Department (SCID) in Lagos on Wednesday after the Ogun Command issued a warrant for his arrest.

He was subsequently transferred to the Ogun Command’s headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta.

The singer faced five charges in an Isabo Magistrate Court in Abeokuta, including conspiracy, assault, unlawful detention, and conduct likely to cause harm, with allegations involving the use of cutlasses and guns.

Portable pleaded not guilty to the charges. Nine of his aides were also arraigned for similar offenses.

The nine aides – 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) – were charged with felony, assault, unlawful detention, and conduct likely to incite violence, along with an intent to kill.

They are accused of assaulting and obstructing three town planners—Abidemi Onabanjo, Ramon Lateef, and Akinpelumi Oyero—while they were performing their official duties at Portable’s Odogwu Bar in Sango, Ogun State.

After pleading not guilty, Portable’s lawyer, Oluwatoyin Ayodele, requested bail for the singer, stating that he was remorseful and had learned from the experience.

Magistrate O.L. Oke granted Portable bail in the amount of ₦2 million, with one surety in the same amount.

The case was adjourned to March 5 for trial.

The Ogun State police had earlier declared Portable wanted for allegedly attacking the three government officials while they were performing their duties at his bar in the Sango area of the state.