Abeokuta, Nigeria – Popular singer Habeeb Okikiola, known as Portable, is reportedly on the run after police in Ogun State arraigned nine of his associates on Thursday for allegedly assaulting officials from the Ota Zonal Planning Office of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.
The nine suspects—Nurudeen Warris, Adetola Alashe, Samuel Adeleke, Oluwaseun Ayenuwa, Oluwapelumi Adeosun, Gospel Kanu, Precious Ohiegebo, Ifeoluwa Babatunde, and Fatimo Muhammed—were charged with felony, assault, obstruction, armed violence, conduct likely to cause a breach of peace, and intent to kill. They all pleaded not guilty to the charges.
According to police prosecutor Sunday Ekong, the alleged attack occurred on Wednesday around 10:00 a.m. at Oke-Osa, Tigbo Ilu, Sango-Ota, when the suspects, alongside Portable, allegedly obstructed and assaulted town planners Abidemi Onabanjo, Ramon Lateef, and Akinpelumi Oyero while they were carrying out their duties at Odogwu Bar, a property owned by the singer.
The prosecutor further stated that the suspects and Portable were armed with cutlasses and guns and acted in a manner likely to disrupt public peace.
Magistrate O.M. Somefun granted bail to the defendants at N5 million each, requiring sureties registered with the Ogun State government as licensed bond agents. The case has been adjourned to March 17 for hearing.
Reports indicate that the altercation stemmed from the sealing of Portable’s uncompleted building and hotel by the Ogun State Town Planning Office due to alleged illegal development without proper permits.
