The air was thick with tension at the Ogun State Magistrate Court in Isabo, Abeokuta, as Magistrate O.L. Oke ruled on the high-profile case of controversial singer Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable.
On the 20th of February,2025, the court granted him bail set at ₦2 million, with a surety in like sum.
Portable, known for his dramatic public persona, found himself entangled in a five-count charge, including conspiracy, assault, possession of dangerous weapons, cutlasses and guns intended to cause injury, as well as unruly conduct. Despite the weight of the allegations, he pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The Ogun State Police Command had dragged the singer to court following claims that he had assaulted three officials from the Ogun Planning and Development Permit Authority (OGPDPA). In the heat of the police crackdown, Portable reportedly went into hiding after his protégés were apprehended and arraigned.
Among those arrested were nine individuals, including Oluwaseun Ayenuwa, 19; Precious Ohiegebo, 19; Oluwapelumi Adeosun, 20; and several others, facing charges of armed violence, felony, obstruction, assault, conduct likely to cause a breach of peace, and even intent to kill.
When the singer finally appeared in court, emotions ran high. He was visibly shaken, tears streaming down his face as he faced the weight of his legal battle. Adding to the intrigue, the court proceedings were briefly stood down for 30 minutes as the State Government took over the case from the Commissioner of Police.
His defense counsel, Oluwatoyin Ayodele, passionately pleaded for his bail, emphasizing the legal presumption of innocence.
“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. My Lord, I promise that he will not miss any court appearance.”
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However, Magistrate Oke did not mince words, issuing a stern warning to the embattled singer. The court declared that Portable must, under no circumstances, discuss the case on social media or cause trouble for anyone.
“If you leave this courtroom 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,” the magistrate warned.
At one point, the court questioned Portable’s mental state, asking if he required psychiatric evaluation.
The singer, wiping his tears, assured the judge that he was mentally sound and healthy.
With that, the case was adjourned to the 5th of March, 2025 setting the stage for yet another chapter in the unfolding legal drama of one of Nigeria’s most controversial entertainers.