Court remands Portable over assault, car theft allegations in Ogun
Controversial singer Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has been arraigned before a Federal High Court in Ota, Ogun State, over multiple criminal allegations, including assault, theft and obstruction of police officers.
Portable was arraigned on Monday on a nine-count charge filed by the Ogun State Police Command. The charges include assault, causing harm, theft and resisting arrest.
The arraignment followed the circulation of a viral video showing the singer in police custody, reportedly linked to a complaint lodged by his estranged partner, Ashabi Simple.
Prosecutors alleged that Portable attacked Ashabi, police officers and other individuals at his bar in the Iyana Ilogbo area on New Year’s Day. Other alleged victims named in the charge include Ileyemi Damilola, Akinyanju Oluwabusayomi, Olowu Olumide, Demilade Ogunniyi and Ebuka Odah.
The singer was also accused of stealing a Mercedes-Benz E300 valued at N12 million, belonging to Ileyemi Damilola and registered under car dealer Wally Dex Auto.
During the proceedings, two siblings of Ashabi testified as witnesses to the alleged assault, although she was not present in court. Police also accused Portable of assaulting and obstructing a female police inspector, Ogungbe Olayemi, while she was on duty.
The presiding judge refused to grant bail, citing the absence of the allegedly assaulted police officer in court, and ordered that the singer be remanded in custody pending a fresh bail hearing on January 19.
This is not Portable’s first brush with the law, as he was convicted and sentenced to three months’ imprisonment by a magistrates’ court in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State in May last year for assault-related offences.
