Just in: Portable’s assault on police leads to light Sentence

DDM News

Nigerian singer Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has been sentenced to three months in prison by a magistrate court in Ogun State.

According to Diaspora digital media (DDM), the sentencing followed his conviction on charges of assaulting a police officer and resisting lawful arrest.

The case was heard at the Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Ifo, a town in Ogun State, Southwest Nigeria.

The incident that led to Portable’s trial occurred on November 18, 2022, in the Okeosa, Ilogbo area of the state.

According to court proceedings, Portable obstructed police officers who were trying to carry out a lawful arrest.

During the altercation, he reportedly attacked one of the officers and attempted to prevent them from doing their job.

This is not the first time Portable has made headlines for controversial actions and confrontations with law enforcement officers.

He gained national attention in Nigeria for his street-style music and erratic public behavior.

However, his growing popularity has also come with repeated incidents of misconduct.

In the latest case, Inspector Olumide Awoleke, the police prosecutor, presented three major charges against the artist.

The first was conspiracy to assault, which the prosecutor claimed Portable carried out with several unidentified accomplices.

The second charge involved the actual physical assault of a police officer during the attempted arrest.

The third charge was theft, with Portable being linked to missing studio equipment.

The items allegedly stolen included a Yamaha studio monitor, an AKG P420 condenser microphone, and studio interface accessories.

The prosecutor argued that these items were taken during a confrontation involving Portable and his associates.

The presiding judge, Chief Magistrate Babajide Ilo, found the singer guilty on two of the three counts.

On the first count, which involved obstructing arrest and committing assault, he was sentenced to one month in prison.

However, the court gave Portable the option to pay a N10,000 fine in lieu of serving the jail term.

On the second count, which dealt with resisting lawful arrest and using violence, he received a two-month sentence.

Again, the court allowed him to pay a fine this time N20,000 as an alternative to imprisonment.

The third charge of theft was dismissed, as the court did not find sufficient evidence to convict him.

Although Portable avoided conviction on that count, the trial drew public attention to his behavior.

Critics have often described the singer as a bad influence on his fans and younger Nigerians.

Legal observers noted that the court’s decision aimed to reinforce the message that no one is above the law.

The fine, which totals N30,000, offered Portable a legal escape from spending time in prison.

Still, many Nigerians believe the sentence was too lenient for an attack on a police officer.

There is growing concern over how Nigerian celebrities treat the law and the officers who enforce it.

Some have called for stricter enforcement and heavier penalties when public figures break the law.

They argue that soft penalties encourage continued lawlessness and disregard for authority.

Portable has yet to issue a formal public statement on the judgment.

However, this legal setback adds to a growing list of controversies linked to his name.

The Nigerian Police Force has previously warned celebrities to desist from obstructing their duties.

Officers have also emphasized the importance of cooperation, especially when investigations are underway.

The court’s judgment is seen by some as a test of Nigeria’s ability to hold influential individuals accountable.

As the entertainment industry reacts to the news, discussions continue on how best to regulate celebrity behavior.

Portable’s case serves as a reminder that fame comes with responsibility and legal consequences for misconduct.

In the coming days, attention will likely focus on whether Portable pays the fines or serves the jail time.

Either way, the court ruling sends a message that actions, regardless of one’s status, have consequences.

For Diaspora Digital Media Updates click on Whatsapp, or Telegram. For eyewitness accounts/ reports/ articles, write to: citizenreports@diasporadigitalmedia.com. Follow us on X (Fomerly Twitter) or Facebook