Portable Escapes Jail After Paying N30,000 Fine For Assault Conviction
THECONSCIENCE NG reports that controversial Nigerian musician Portable has avoided a jail sentence after paying a N30,000 fine, following his conviction for assault.
Portable, whose real name is Habeeb Okikiola, was previously sentenced by the Ifo Magistrate Court in Ogun State to three months in prison for assaulting Osimosu Emmanuel Oluwafemi in 2022.
According to the charge sheet, Portable and others at large were accused of conspiring to commit assault on November 18, 2022, at Okeosa, Ilogbo, within the Ifo Magisterial District. The document further alleged that Portable unlawfully beat Oluwafemi and also stole various musical items, including a Yamaha H55 studio monitor, studio interface cables, and an AKG P420 condenser microphone.
He faced three charges: conspiracy to assault, assault, and theft. However, the court found him guilty only on counts one and two—conspiracy and assault.
Chief Magistrate Babajide Ilo sentenced the singer to one month in prison with an option of a N10,000 fine for the first count, and two months with an option of a N20,000 fine for the second. Portable opted to pay the fines, thus avoiding incarceration.
Though he was previously granted bail, the artist was briefly remanded in custody for failing to appear in court before his sentencing.