Nine individuals associated with popular Nigerian singer Habeeb Okikiola, better known as Portable, were arraigned before a Magistrates’ Court in Isabo, Abeokuta, on Thursday, charged with assaulting officers of the Ota Zonal Planning Office of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.
The accused, ranging in age from 19 to 28, are Nurudeen Warris, Adetola Alashe, Samuel Adeleke, Oluwaseun Ayenuwa, Oluwapelumi Adeosun, Gospel Kanu, Precious Ohiegebo, Ifeoluwa Babatunde, and Fatimo Muhammed. They face five counts, including felony, assault, obstruction, carrying weapons such as cutlasses and guns, conduct likely to cause a breach of peace, and attempted murder.
The charges stem from an incident that occurred on Wednesday morning at Oke-Osa, Tigbo Ilu, Sango-Ota. Police prosecutor Sunday Ekong told the court that the defendants, alongside Portable, who remains at large, assaulted, restricted, and obstructed three town planning officers while they were carrying out their official duties at Odogwu Bar, a business owned by Portable.
Ekong further alleged that the defendants were armed with weapons and intended to harm the officers during the altercation. The charges contravene several sections of the Ogun State Criminal Code.
Magistrate O.M. Somefun granted bail to the accused, setting the amount at N5 million each, with the stipulation that they provide licensed bondmen registered with the Ogun State government. The case was adjourned to March 17 for hearing.
According to sources, the incident began earlier in the week when Ogun State Planning and Development Permit Authority (OGPDPA) officers conducted joint monitoring in the area. While inspecting developments, the officials issued notices for illegal structures. During the inspection, Portable recorded a video on social media, proclaiming himself the “town planner” and mocking the agents. He encouraged people in his bar to chant his self-styled title and harassed the officers, forcing them to leave for their own safety.
When the planning officers returned to Portable’s bar to serve notices of illegal construction, they encountered a hostile response. Portable and his associates arrived on motorcycles and launched a physical attack on the officials, even blocking their escape route. The officers sought refuge at a nearby petrol station while Portable and his group pursued them, pelting them with stones.
The Ogun State Police intervened after the officers contacted their office for assistance. The police were able to rescue the town planning officers and arrest several individuals involved in the assault. Further investigations are underway, with the authorities also seizing vehicles belonging to the suspects and others involved in the attack.
The case has sparked concern over the safety of government officials carrying out their duties and the level of intimidation faced by public servants in some parts of the state.
