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Portable escapes 3-month jail term, pays ₦30k fine
Controversial Nigerian singer Habeeb Okikiola, widely known as Portable, has avoided a three-month jail sentence by paying a court-imposed fine of ₦30,000 in connection with a 2022 assault case.
The ruling came from a Magistrate Court in Ifo, Ogun State, on Tuesday, with Chief Magistrate Babajide Ilo presiding. Portable was convicted on two counts: conspiracy to assault and unlawful assault of one Osimosu Emmanuel Oluwafemi.
According to Police Prosecutor Inspector Olumide Awoleke, the incident occurred on November 18, 2022, around 11:00 a.m. in the Okeosa, Ilogbo area. Portable, alongside others still at large, was accused of physically attacking the victim and allegedly stealing studio equipment, including a Yamaha H55 monitor, interface cables, and an AKG P420 microphone.
While the theft charge did not stick, the court found Portable guilty of the two assault-related charges. He was sentenced to one month in prison (with a ₦10,000 fine) for conspiracy to assault and two months (with a ₦20,000 fine) for unlawful assault.
Initially arraigned in April 2023 under charge number MIF/192C/2023, the singer had previously secured bail at ₦300,000 with two family sureties. However, his repeated absence from court led to his brief remand last week.
Faced with the option of serving time or paying the fine, Portable chose the latter and paid the ₦30,000 in full, effectively avoiding jail time.