Rising Star Portable and Crew Clash with Ogun Authorities

According to reports, controversial musician Habeeb Okikiola, better known by his stage name Portable, is now at large after Ogun State police charged nine of his protégés in an Abeokuta Magistrates' Court on Thursday. The suspects are charged with assaulting Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development staff from the Ota Zonal Planning office.

The nine suspects were arraigned on five counts of felony, assault, obstruction, armed violence with cutlasses and guns, conduct likely to cause a breach of peace, and intent to kill. They were 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 Muhammad, 26.

To the charges, the defendants entered a not guilty plea.

The defendants committed the alleged offenses on Wednesday at around 10:00 am in Oke-Osa, Tigbo Ilu, Sango-Ota, in the Ado-Odo/Ota local government area of Ogun State, according to Police Prosecutor Sunday Ekong, who testified in court.

Ekong clarified that while town planners Abidemi Onabanjo, Ramon Lateef, and Akinpelumi Oyero were carrying out their legal responsibilities at Portable's establishment, Odogwu Bar, the accused and Portable, who is still at large, unlawfully attacked, restrained, and blocked them.

With the intention of killing the town planning authorities, the prosecutor further stated that the defendants and Portable were carrying lethal weapons and acting in a way that would have violated the peace.

Sections 516, 356(3), 80, 249(d), and 320 of the Ogun State 2006 Criminal Code were infringed upon by the accusations.

The defendants were given N5 million bail each by Magistrate Mrs. O.M. Somefun, with sureties who are authorized bond brokers registered with the Ogun State government. The hearing for the matter was postponed until March 17.

According to reports, the incident started when the State Town Planning Office sealed Portable's unfinished hotel and building because it was being developed illegally without the required permissions.

Portable shared his faith in God and his annoyance at his land being sealed off on Instagram. He said that more than 20 artists, patrons, vehicles, motorcycles, and phones were seized from his business by the authorities.

He said that despite his attempts to support the neighborhood by fixing roads and installing lamps, the government was targeting his company. "Why will they do that to my property, which I use to feed my family?" he bemoaned.

"They packed everyone, took over 20 people, including customers and artists, and seized people's phones, cars, and bikes," Portable continued. Why? The government ought to investigate this. Not only do I sell drinks here, but I also schedule shows and events. I'm advancing individuals and supporting the neighborhood. Given that I've been assisting with road repairs and lamps, why attack me?

"God is greater than them," he concluded.