Nine Proteges of Singer Portable Arraigned for Assaulting Ota Town Planners During Dispute Over Sealed Property
Nine individuals believed to be proteges of popular musician Habeeb Okikiola, better known as Portable, were on Thursday arraigned before a Magistrates’ Court in Isabo, Abeokuta, Ogun State, for allegedly assaulting officers from the Ota Zonal Planning office of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.
The accused, aged between 19 and 28, face five charges, including felony, assault, armed attack with cutlasses and firearms, and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace. The incident occurred on Wednesday at Oke-Osa in Tigbo Ilu, Sango-Ota, during a dispute at Odogwu Bar, a property owned by Portable. The officers were allegedly assaulted while performing their duties.
The police prosecutor, Sunday Ekong, revealed that the defendants and Portable, who remains at large, obstructed and attacked the officers with dangerous weapons, intending to kill them. The charges were in violation of Ogun State’s Criminal Code.
Magistrate O.M. Somefun granted the defendants bail of N5 million each, with sureties who must be licensed bondsmen registered with the Ogun State Government. The case has been adjourned to March 17 for hearing.
Portable had recently expressed frustration over the government’s action of sealing his uncompleted building, citing allegations of illegal development. He claimed the raid led to the arrest of over 20 people, including artists, customers, and personal acquaintances, as well as the confiscation of cars, bikes, and phones.
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