Portable: Nigerians React as Court Sentences Controversial Singer to Prison, "Long Overdue"

• Controversial singer Habeeb Okikiola, commonly called Portable, has been sentenced to months in prison
• A court in Ogun state found Portable guilty of two charges stemming from a past incident in Okeosa, Ilogbo
• Nigerians shared their thoughts online after news of the court's verdict on Portable surfaced on April 30

Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering metro.

Abeokuta, Ogun state - An Ogun state chief magistrate court, sitting in Ifo local government area (LGA), sentenced controversial singer Habeeb 'Portable' Okikiola to three months in prison, with an option of a N30,000 fine.

As reported on Thursday, April 30, byVanguard, Portable was found guilty of assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest.

Portable receives prison sentence for cop assault

Blueprint newspaper also noted the update. The musician was arrested in March 2023 after physically attacking an inspector and obstructing officers who were attempting to serve him an arrest warrant.

The police prosecutor, Inspector Olumide Awoleke, had earlier informed the court that Portable committed the offence on November 18, 2022, at approximately 11:00 am in Okeosa, Ilogbo, within the Ifo magisterial district in Ogun state.

The charge sheet read as follows:

“That you, Badmus Habeeb Okikiola, aka Portable, and others now at large, on the 18th day of November 2022 at 11:00 hrs, in Okeosa, Ilogbo, within the Ifo Magisterial District, did conspire among yourselves to commit felony, to wit: assault, and thereby committed an offense contrary to and punishable under Section 517 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun state 2006.

“That you, Habeeb Okikiola Olalomi, on the same date, time, and place in the aforementioned district, did unlawfully assault one Osimosu Emmanuel Oluwafemi (male) by beating him all over his body, thereby committing an offense contrary to and punishable under Section 351 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State of Nigeria 2006.

“That you, Badmus Habeeb Okikiola, aka Portable, on various occasions in the year 2022, at Okeosa, Ilogbo, within the Ifo Magisterial District, did steal some musical equipment, including a Yamaha H55 studio monitor, a complete Studio 2 interface connection cable, and an AKG P420 condenser, thereby committing an offense contrary to Sections 384 and 383 and punishable under Section 390 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State, Nigeria, 2006.”

In his judgment, Chief Magistrate Babajide Ilo found the singer guilty on two counts.

He sentenced the defendant to one month’s imprisonment with an option of a N10,000 fine for Count 1 and two months with an option of a N20,000 fine for Count 2.

Portable's prison sentence: Nigerians react

Meanwhile, following the development, Nigerians on X (formerly Twitter) shared their thoughts.

Legit.ng captured some comments below:

@waxdigitals wrote:

"30,000 naira fine? At least charge better money na."

@EdorheJones commented:

"Make this guy beg that e Uncle wey dem say Dey worry am with Juju cos the Juju Dey really work. If not wetin be this."

@__Priestt wrote:

"Him name go change to wahala prisoner."

@midepeter3 remarked:

"Long overdue. I am sure when he comes back he go calm small... People wey wan deal with am for keremonje sef dey wait am."

'Fame cannot shield bad behaviour' — Commentator

A cultural commentator, Christy Ekhaguere, has reacted to the recent sentencing of Nigerian singer Portable, describing it as a moment that reflects the influence of fame on personal responsibility.

“Portable's arrest just reveals how fame has the ability to distort accountability of flawed behaviour,” she told Legit.ng.

“To be honest, his rise to fame was chaotic but entertaining, which led to support from a lot of people.”

“Yet we can't allow his illegal actions to fly by. Fame cannot shield bad behaviour, and there must be consequences for your actions, fame or not,” Ekhaguere concluded.

Portable buys new car after boxing match

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Portable unveiled his latest acquisition, a sleek Ford F-150 Platinum 2013 Edition.

The purchase of the new car came after the singer beat Speed Darlington in an exhibition boxing contest.

The self-styled Zeh Nation boss, a controversial figure, took to Instagram to flaunt his new ride and thanked God.

Editorial assistant Ololade Olatimehin provided exclusive commentary from a cultural commentator for this report.

Source: Legit.ng