An Ogun State Magistrate Court in Ifo Local Government Area has sentenced popular Nigerian singer, Habeeb Okikiola, widely known as Portable, to three months’ imprisonment over charges of assault.
The court, however, offered him an option of a N30,000 fine.
Chief Magistrate Babajide Ilo delivered the ruling on Tuesday, convicting the controversial artiste on two of the three counts filed against him, which included assault and theft of musical equipment.
Portable had earlier been arraigned in April 2023 on a three-count charge relating to the assault of one Osimosu Emmanuel Oluwafemi and the theft of studio equipment. The incident reportedly occurred on November 18, 2022, in Okeosa, Ilogbo, under the Ifo Magisterial District.
According to Police Prosecutor, Inspector Olumide Awoleke, Portable was involved in a physical attack on the victim and also stole musical devices including a Yamaha H55 studio monitor, a studio interface cable, and an AKG P420 condenser microphone.
The charge sheet stated that the singer and others still at large conspired to commit felony and assaulted the victim. The offences are punishable under the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State, 2006.
Delivering judgment, Magistrate Ilo said, “The court finds the defendant guilty of the first two counts – conspiracy and assault. For the first count, he is sentenced to one month in prison or a N10,000 fine. For the second count, he is sentenced to two months in prison or a N20,000 fine.”
It was gathered that Portable, who initially failed to attend court sessions, was recently re-arrested and remanded before appearing again for the final hearing.
The third charge of theft was not upheld in the final judgment.
