By Capital Watch Media
Controversial Nigerian singer Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has been granted bail by an Ogun State Magistrate Court sitting in Isabo, Abeokuta.
Magistrate O.L Oke on Thursday granted the singer bail in the sum of N2 million with a surety in like sum.
Portable had been facing a five-count charge, including conspiracy, assault, possession of weapons, and public disturbance.
The singer, known for his unpredictable behaviour, pleaded not guilty to all charges.
His defence counsel, Oluwatoyin Ayodele, urged the court to consider bail, arguing that he remained innocent until proven guilty.
“My Lord, I pray that you exercise patience on Habeeb Okikiola by granting him bail,” Ayodele said.
“This bail is for him to properly stand his trial. He will not jump bail or miss any court appearance.”
The Ogun State Police Command had declared Portable wanted earlier in the week for allegedly assaulting three officials from the Ogun Planning and Development Permit Authority, OGPDPA.
The officials were reportedly attacked while on duty.
After the police declaration, Portable initially went into hiding before surrendering himself at the Lagos State Criminal Investigation Department, CID.
His arrest followed the earlier arraignment of nine of his associates on similar charges.
During his court appearance, Portable was seen shaking and shedding tears as the court stood down the case for 30 minutes while the Ogun State Government took over the prosecution from the police.
Addressing the court, Magistrate Oke warned Portable against making any statements about the case on social media.
“If you leave this courtroom and for any reason go to any social media platform to discuss this case, you will lose your bail,” she said.
The magistrate further cautioned him against engaging in any form of public disturbance.
“If you cause trouble with anyone, you will lose your bail. If you miss any court appearances or arrive late, you will lose your bail,” she warned.
When asked about his mental state, Portable affirmed that he was healthy and mentally stable.
“I am mentally alright,” he responded when the court inquired whether he needed psychiatric evaluation.
The prosecution had earlier raised concerns over his previous social media outbursts, where he claimed to be a psychiatric patient at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta.
However, the police dismissed the claim, insisting he must face the charges.
“Portable will come and submit himself. He cannot be in the psychiatric hospital in Aro. Everybody knows he is a wanted person,” police spokesperson Omolola Odutola had stated before his court appearance.
The court proceedings come after Portable’s repeated confrontations with law enforcement agencies.
In 2023, he was also arrested and arraigned for resisting arrest and incitement to violence.
