By Uche Amunike
The Ogun State Magistrate Court Sitting in Ifo Local Government Area, Monday, ordered that ‘Zazu’ singer, Habeeb Okikiola popularly known as Portable is granted bail, but remanded at the facility of Ilaro Correctional Centre, until he meets his bail requirements.
He was standing trial in Suit Number 1192/C/2023 on a 5-Count charge bordering on assault and stealing before the court with presiding Magistrate as Chief Magistrate Aliyu Soneye.
Even though he pleaded ‘Not Guilty’, Portable was granted bail conditions of N300,000 and N500,000 with two sureties each in the first and second count charge.
During the court proceedings, Monday, Police prosecutor, Inspector O. Awolana stated that Portable conspired with others, presently at large, to assault one Osimosu Emmanuel Oluwafemi on November 18, 2022, thereby committing an offense contrary to Section 351 of the Ogun State Criminal Code.
The singer was accused of stealing musical gadgets that included a complete Studio 2 Interface Connection Cable, a Yamaha H55 Studio Monitor and an AKG Condenser, among other valuables.
In a different Charge Sheet bearing the same suit No 1192/C/2023, the police prosecutor told the court that on March 28, Portable resisted arrest and consequently inflicted physical injuries on three police operatives who came to arrest him in his home, thereby also committing another offense that goes contrary to Section 517 of the Criminal Code of Ogun State.
Some of his charges read: ‘That you, BADMUS HABEEB OKIKIOLA, M A.KA PORTABLE, and others now at large on the 28th day of March 2023 at 11:00hrs at Odogwu Bar, Oke-Osa, Ilogbo, Ifo in the Ifo Magisterial District did willfully cause or inflict physical injury on one Inspector Hammed Moshood ‘m’ with your elbow on his nose which caused blood to gush out from his nose and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 4 (1) of the Violence against persons & Prohibition Laws of Ogun State of Nigeria, 2017.’
‘That you, BADMUS HABEEB OKIKIOLA M A.KA PORTABLE on the same date, time and place in the Magisterial mentioned above District, did resist to be arrested by Inspector Hammed Moshood ‘m’, ASP Gregory Iyoha ‘m’, and ASP Kunle Badmus ‘m’ after serving you with Police Invitation Letter on the 20 day of January 2023 for the offences you committed when they were about to discharge their duty with a warrant of arrest on you, thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 197 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State of Nigeria, 2006.’
Chief Magistrate Soneye, while ruling on his bail application, explained that his offenses were bailable, therefore had Portable granted bail with the aforementioned sums, but maintained that he must present two sureties that must reside within the jurisdiction of the court.
The case was adjourned to April 26, for commencement of his trial. His lawyers were seen going back and forth after the court session as they tried to perfect his bail condition.
