The legal troubles of controversial musician Habeeb Okikiola, widely known as Portable, deepened on Monday as a Federal High Court sitting in Ota, Ogun State, ordered his remand following his arraignment on multiple criminal charges, including assault and obstruction of police officers.
The singer, whose public persona often courts controversy, was brought before the court after his arrest by the Ogun State Police Command. Police spokesman, Oluseyi Babaseyi, confirmed the development, stating that Portable was arraigned and subsequently remanded after his appearance in court.
The arraignment followed the circulation of a viral video over the weekend in which the artiste was seen handcuffed, visibly distressed and pleading from what appeared to be a police facility. The footage sparked widespread debate on social media and reignited scrutiny of the singer’s conduct.
According to the prosecution, the case stemmed from allegations that Portable assaulted actress and skit maker Omobolarinde Akinyanju, popularly known as Ashabi Simple, one of his baby mamas, during an incident at his bar in the Iyana Ilogbo area on New Year’s Day. Prosecutors further alleged that the altercation extended to police officers and other individuals present at the scene.
Several alleged victims were listed in the charge, while two siblings of Ashabi testified before the court as witnesses to the incident. Ashabi herself was, however, absent from the proceedings.
The police also accused the Zazu crooner of forcibly obstructing and assaulting a female police inspector during the performance of her lawful duties. In addition, the prosecution claimed that the singer unlawfully took possession of a Mercedes-Benz E300 valued at about ₦12 million, said to belong to one Ileyemi Damilola and linked to a car dealership.
In his ruling, the presiding judge declined to grant Portable bail, noting that a key witness — the allegedly assaulted police officer — was not present in court. The judge held that her testimony was critical to determining the bail application and ordered that the defendant be remanded in custody pending further proceedings.
The matter was adjourned to January 19 for continuation of the bail hearing.
Meanwhile, the Ogun State Police Command has opened a separate investigation into another viral video purportedly showing the singer being assaulted while in custody, signalling a cautious attempt to balance enforcement with due process as public attention intensifies around the case.
