Nigerian singer Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has reportedly gone into hiding as the Ogun State Police arraigned nine of his associates in connection with a violent altercation that occurred in Sango-Ota, Ogun State.
The suspects, who face serious charges of assault, obstruction, and armed violence, were presented before the Abeokuta Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.
The nine accused individuals—ranging in age from 19 to 28—are facing multiple charges including felony, assault, obstruction, armed violence with cutlasses and guns, conduct likely to cause a breach of peace, and intent to kill.
They were allegedly involved in an incident that took place on Wednesday around 10:00 am in Oke-Osa, Tigbo Ilu, Sango-Ota, within the Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area.
According to Police Prosecutor Sunday Ekong, the incident erupted when the suspects, allegedly acting in concert with the controversial musician Portable, confronted officials from the Ota Zonal Planning office of the Ogun State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.
The planning officers—Abidemi Onabanjo, Ramon Lateef, and Akinpelumi Oyero—had reportedly been inspecting Portable’s business premises, Odogwu Bar, which also doubles as his hotel.
Ekong informed the court that Portable and his associates unlawfully assaulted, restricted, and obstructed the planning officials as they went about their duties.
He further alleged that the group was armed with dangerous weapons such as cutlasses and guns and acted in a manner that could have endangered public peace, with the intent to kill the officers.
The charges brought against the suspects fall under several sections of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State, including those concerning assault, armed violence, and conspiracy.
Magistrate O.M. Somefun granted bail to each of the nine suspects, setting the bail at N5 million each.
Also, the suspects are required to provide sureties who are licensed bond agents registered with the Ogun State government. The case has been adjourned until March 17 for further proceedings.
The altercation reportedly followed a prior incident in which officials from the Ogun State Town Planning Office sealed Portable’s uncompleted building and hotel for illegal development, as it lacked the necessary permits. Portable, who has since gone into hiding, took to Instagram to voice out .
