controversial Nigerian singer Habeeb Okikiola, widely known as Portable, was arraigned before the Isabo High Court in Abeokafa, Ogun State, facing charges of assault.
The embattled artist’s court appearance follows his surrender to the Lagos State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Yaba on Wednesday, February 19, after being declared wanted by the Ogun State Police Command earlier in the week.
Portable allegedly led a violent attack on officials from the Ogun State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.
The officials were conducting an enforcement exercise at his bar, Odogwu Bar, in the Sango Ota area, reportedly due to the property lacking proper permits and sufficient airspace clearance. According to police reports, Portable and his associates assaulted three town planning officers—TPL Onabanjo Abidemi, TPL Raymond Lateef, and TPL Ridwan Oyero Akinlesi, causing injuries.
While nine of Portable’s associates were arrested at the scene, the singer evaded capture until his surrender.
The Ogun State Police had declared Portable wanted on February 18, accusing him of repeatedly ignoring formal invitations to appear at the Eleweran headquarters in Abeokuta.
Following his surrender in Lagos, he was transferred to Ogun State and presented in court on Thursday morning to face charges related to assault and obstruction. The arraignment marks the latest chapter in Portable’s escalating legal troubles, which have included prior arrests for similar offenses.
The singer’s history of confrontations is well-documented. In 2023, he was arrested and arraigned in Ifo, Ogun State, on five counts, including assaulting a police officer, and was granted bail of N300,000 with a stint in detention at Ilaro Correctional Centre until conditions were met.
This latest incident has reignited public debate, with some calling for stricter accountability, while others question the circumstances surrounding the enforcement actions at his property.
Portable has publicly denied the assault allegations, claiming in Instagram videos posted from hiding on February 8 that he was asleep during the initial raid and unjustly targeted.
He pleaded for the release of his detained associates, insisting they were harmless trainees at his bar and academy, which he says supports local artisans and musicians. The Ogun State government, however, has branded him a “serial dissident,” vowing to uphold the law.