Magistrate O.L. Oke of an Ogun State Magistrate Court in Isabo, Abeokuta, on Thursday granted controversial singer Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, bail in the amount of N2 million, with a surety in a similar sum. The case has been adjourned until March 5.
Portable is facing a five-count charge for conspiracy, assault, possession of cutlass, guns to cause injury, and conducting himself in an unruly manner.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
Portable was charged to court by the Ogun State police command for allegedly assaulting three officials from the Ogun Planning and Development Permit Authority, OGPDPA.
The suspects, Precious Ohiegebo, 19; Oluwapelumi Adeosun, 20; Gospel Kanu, 20; Nurudeen Warris, 21; Adetola Alashe, 25; Fatimo Muhammed, 26; Ifeoluwa Babatunde, 27; and Samuel Adeleke, 28—were arraigned on a five-count charge, including armed violence with cutlasses and guns, felony, obstruction, assault, conduct likely to cause a breach of peace, and intent to kill.
Appearing before the court, the 31-year-old Zazoo crooner was seen shaking and shedding tears.
The court stood down for 30 minutes as the State Government took over the matter from the Commissioner of Police. The defense counsel, Oluwatoyin Ayodele, requested that the court grant bail, emphasizing that the defendant is still presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Ayodele assured the court that the defendant would not jump bail and would stand trial. Her words:
“My Lord, I pray that you exercise patience on Habeeb Okikiola by granting him bail. This bail is for him to properly stand his trial.
“He is still innocent until the court proves otherwise. I promise that he will appear before his trial. My Lord, I promise that he will not miss any court appearance.”
Magistrate O.L Oke warned that the defendant must for no reason appear on social media to discuss anything pertaining to the court or cause mayhem to anyone. Magistrate Oke said:
“If you leave this court room and for any reason go to any social media platform to say anything about the court, you will lose your bail.
“If you leave and go foment trouble or problem with anybody, you will lose that bail.
“If you miss any court appearances or arrive late, you will lose your bail”.
When the court asked if he is mentally alright or should be sent to a psychiatric home, Portable replied that he is alright and healthy.
The case was, however, adjourned to March 5th.
