By Seyi Babalola
Controversial musician Habeeb Okikiola, also known as Portable, is reportedly on the run after nine of his proteges were arraigned at Abeokuta Magistrates Court on Thursday.
The suspects have been accused of assaulting Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development staff at the Ota Zonal Planning office.
The nine suspects, identified as Nurudeen Warris, 21; Adetola Alashe, 25; Samuel Adeleke, 28; Oluwaseun Ayenuwa, 19; Oluwapelumi Adeosun, 20; Gospel Kanu, 20; Precious Ohiegebo, 19; Ifeoluwa Babatunde, 27; and Fatimo Muhammed, 26, were arraigned on a five-count charge of felony, assault, obstruction, armed violence with cutlasses and guns, conduct likely to cause a breach of peace, and intent to kill.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the accusations.
Sunday Ekong, the Police Prosecutor, told the court that the defendants committed the alleged crimes on Wednesday about 10:00 a.m. in Oke-Osa, Tigbo Ilu, and Sango-Ota, all in Ogun State’s Ado-Odo/Ota local government.
Ekong explained that the suspects, along with Portable, who is currently at large, unlawfully assaulted, restricted, and obstructed town planners Abidemi Onabanjo, Ramon Lateef, and Akinpelumi Oyero while they were performing their lawful duties at Odogwu Bar, a business owned by Portable.
The prosecutor added that the defendants and Portable were armed with dangerous weapons and conducted themselves in a manner likely to cause a breach of public peace, with the intent to kill the town planning officers.
The charges violated sections 516, 356(3), 80, 249(d), and 320 of the Criminal Code laws of Ogun State, 2006.
Magistrate Mrs. O.M. Somefun granted bail to the defendants in the sum of N5 million each, with sureties who are licensed bond agents registered with the Ogun State government. The case was adjourned until March 17 for hearing.
The incident reportedly stemmed from the sealing of Portable’s uncompleted building and hotel by the State Town Planning Office due to illegal development without the necessary permits.
