Controversial singer Portable avoids jail time after paying N30,000 fine for assault

• Controversial Nigerian singer Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, was found guilty of assaulting Osimosu Emmanuel Oluwafemi and sentenced to three months in prison
• However, he avoided jail time by paying a total fine of N30,000, N10,000 for the first count and N20,000 for the second
• Portable was arraigned on a three-count charge, including assault and the theft of valuable musical instruments, a case that drew widespread reactions from netizens

Controversial Nigerian hip-hop artiste Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has avoided a three-month jail term by paying a fine of N30,000 for assault. 

The verdict was delivered on Tuesday, April 29, by Chief Magistrate Babajide Ilo at an Ifo Magistrates’ Court in Ogun State.

The court found Portable guilty of two counts of assault, stemming from an incident that occurred on November 18, 2022, in Okeosa, Ilogbo.

The charge sheet read:

“That you, Badmus Habeeb Okikiola a.k.a. 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 a felony to wit: assault...”

Delivering judgment, Chief Magistrate Ilo sentenced Portable to one month in prison with an option of a N10,000 fine on the first count and two months with an option of a N20,000 fine on the second count.

Before the sentencing, Portable had been granted bail of N300,000 with two sureties from his immediate family. 

However, his failure to appear in court led to his remand in the Ogun State Correctional Service. He was later brought back to court for the final ruling.

The judgment has sparked mixed reactions on social media. While some netizens expressed relief that the singer avoided jail, others criticised the leniency of the sentence, arguing that the N30,000 fine was too light for an assault conviction. 

Many also questioned the consistency and fairness of the Nigerian justice system.

Netizens react to Portable's case

@dabexalt_foods posted: “30k for assaulting and stealing studio equipments. If you like no defend yourself in the face of bully.”

@chioma.jpeg wrote: “He will pay the money, it's not much.. 30k all together lol.”

@ezeqwesiri posted: “I'm very convinced that this is the side effect of his juju cos it can't be normal again! "I want problem always."

@mozes_the_vik posted: “Would he finish serving the three months? No, they'd still release him and he will do the same things over again.”

@weightlossproducts9ja wrote: “What is 30k that Portable will not move freely and cause another havoc? Congratulations to him. I happy for am.”

@misschidel posted: “30k fine should be the Funniest fine ever.”

@ms_leemart posted: “30k fine? We're unserious as a country.”

@mykel_smyth posted: ‘Portable don dey Turn T-bag for Prison break.”

@madetofit posted: “I no sure say portable don ever get peace of mind at this point.”

“Prosecute him,” Public reacts as Portable allegedly assaults government officials, goes into hiding

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that controversial Nigerian artiste Portable allegedly verbally and physically assaulted government officials in Ogun State. 

The singer is reportedly hiding, with sources indicating that he would be arrested and prosecuted if found. 

This is not the first time Portable has been involved in a controversy with government authorities, having been arrested and arraigned in 2023 for allegedly assaulting police officers, igniting netizens’ reactions.