Nine associates of the popular Nigerian musician Habeeb Okikiola, widely known as Portable, were arraigned on Thursday by the Ogun State Police before a Magistrates’ Court in Isabo, Abeokuta.
They are accused of assaulting officials from the Ota Zonal Planning Office of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.
The defendants, identified as 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), face a five-count charge.
The charges include felony, assault, unlawful restriction, possession of weapons such as cutlasses and guns, conduct likely to cause a breach of peace, and intent to kill. All nine pleaded not guilty to the charges.
According to the police prosecutor, Sunday Ekong, the alleged incident occurred on Wednesday around 10:00 a.m. at Oke-Osa, Tigbo Ilu, Sango-Ota.
Ekong stated that the defendants, along with Portable, who remains at large, unlawfully assaulted and obstructed three town planning officers—Abidemi Onabanjo, Ramon Lateef, and Akinpelumi Oyero—while they were carrying out their official duties at Portable’s establishment, Odogwu Bar.
Ekong further alleged that the defendants were armed with cutlasses and guns and had the intention to kill the officials. The charges brought against them are in violation of Sections 516, 356(3), 80, 249(d), and 320 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State, 2006.
Magistrate O.M. Somefun granted bail to each defendant at N5 million, with the condition that their sureties must be licensed bondmen registered with the Ogun State government. The case has been adjourned until March 17 for further hearing.
The incident follows Portable’s public outcry after the Ogun State Government sealed his uncompleted building and hotel. In a letter shared on social media, the government cited illegal construction without proper approval as the reason for the action.
Portable claimed that the sealing led to the arrest of over 20 individuals, including artists, customers, and others who had sought his assistance. He also alleged that authorities confiscated cars, motorcycles, and phones during the operation.
The musician argued that the building was being used to host events and shows, not solely for commercial purposes.
