Controversial Nigerian artist Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has avoided a three-month prison sentence by paying a ₦30,000 court fine related to an assault case.
The ruling was delivered by Chief Magistrate Babajide Ilo at the Magistrate Court in Ifo, Ogun State, where Portable was convicted on two counts stemming from a 2022 assault incident.
Police Prosecutor Inspector Olumide Awoleke stated that the event occurred on November 18, 2022, around 11:00 a.m. in the Okeosa, Ilogbo area within the Ifo Magisterial District. Portable, along with others still at large, was accused of conspiring to physically attack one Osimosu Emmanuel Oluwafemi.
The charge sheet also alleged the theft of studio equipment, including a Yamaha H55 monitor, interface cables, and an AKG P420 condenser microphone. However, the court only convicted Portable for conspiracy to assault and unlawful assault.
On the first count, he was sentenced to one month in prison or a ₦10,000 fine, and on the second, two months in prison or a ₦20,000 fine. He opted to pay the fines totaling ₦30,000.
Portable was initially arraigned in April 2023 under charge number MIF/192C/2023 and was granted bail of ₦300,000 with two family-member sureties. However, his repeated absence from court led to his remand last week.
He was brought back before the court on Tuesday, where he chose to settle the fine in lieu of serving jail time.