By Deborah Nnamdi
An Ogun State Magistrate Court, sitting in Abeokuta on Thursday, granted controversial singer Habeeb Okikiola Olalomi, popularly known as Portable, a bail of N2 million.
Portable was arraigned for alleged assault on government officials.
Recall that the singer was declared wanted by police command in Ogun State, on February 18 in connection with an alleged assault on three officials from the Ogun State Planning and Development Permit Authority (OGPDPA).
The controversy began on February 5 when OGPDPA officials attempted to seal Portable’s bar due to a lack of approved permits and insufficient air space.
Portable allegedly led a gang in a violent attack on the unarmed officials, who sustained injuries but managed to escape.
Portable had walked into the Criminal Investigations Department (SCID), Lagos Command, on Wednesday morning after he was declared wanted by the Ogun Command.
He was later transferred to the Ogun Command’s headquarters, Eleweran, Abeokuta.
The Zazoo-zeh crooner was arraigned on a five-count charge, which bordered on conspiracy, assault, and restriction, armed with cutlasses and guns, and conduct likely to cause harm.
He, however, pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
His protégés – nine in number – were arraigned for similar charges on February 6.
The nine suspects are Nurudeen Warris, 21; Adetola Alashe, 25; Samuel Adeleke, 28; Oluwaseun Ayenuwa, 19; Oluwapelumi Adeosun, 20; Gospel Kanu, 20; Precious Ohiegebo, 19; Ifeoluwa Babatunde, 27; and Fatima Muhammed, 26.
They allegedly assaulted, restricted, and obstructed one Abidemi Onabanjo, Ramon Lateef, and Akinpelumi Oyero, who are town planners.
The defendants and Portable allegedly assaulted the three town planning officers while performing their lawful duties at Odogwu Bar, owned by the popular hip-hop musician.
After pleading not guilty to the charges, his counsel adjourned the case till March 5 for trial.
