The Ogun State Police Command on Monday arraigned the hip hop singer, Habeeb Okikiola aka Portable, on charges bothering on assault and theft of musical equipment.
Nigeriacrime.com gathered that the “Zazu Zeh” crooner was arraigned at a Chief Magistrate Court, sitting in Ifo, Ifo local government area of Ogun State, presided over by the Chief Magistrate A. S. Shoneye.
Okikiola was standing trial in suit number: 1192/C/2023 on 5-count charges bothering on assault and stealing.
The accused, who pleaded not guilty to the charges was, however, admitted to bail conditions of N300, 000, and N500, 000 with two sureties each in the first and second count charge sheets.
Appearing before the court, the Police prosecutor, Inspector O Awolana told the court that the accused had on 18th November 2022 conspired with others now at large to “unlawfully assault” one Osimosu Emmanuel Oluwafemi, thereby, committing an offence contrary to section 351 of the Criminal Code of Ogun State.
Okikiola was also accused of stealing some musical gadgets that included: Yamaha H55 Studio Monitor; Complete Studio 2 Interface Connection Cable, as well an AKG P420 Condenser among others.
In another charge sheet bearing the same Suit number: 1192/C/2023, the police prosecutor further informed the court that the 28-year-old “Portable” on the 28th March 2023, resisted arrest and consequently inflicted physical injuries on three police operatives who invaded his premises to effect his arrest, an offence which he said is contrary to Section 517 of the Criminal Code of Ogun State.
Part of the charges preferred against Portable read; Part of that charges read: “That you Badmus Habeeb Okikiola, aka Portable, and others now at large on the 28″ day of March 2023 at 11:00hrs at Odogwu Bar, Oke-Osa, Ilogbo, Ifo in the Ifo Magisterial District, did willfully cause or inflict physical injury on one Inspector Hammed Moshood ‘m’ with your elbow on his nose, which caused blood to gush out from his nose and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 4 (1) of the Violence against persons & Prohibition Laws of Ogun State of Nigeria, 2017.
“That you Badmus Habeeb Okikiola, M. aka Portable, on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District did resist to be arrested by Inspector Hammed Moshood ‘m’, ASP Gregory Iyoha ‘m’, ASP Kunle Badmus ‘m’ after serving you with Police Invitation Letter on the 20th of January, 2023 for the offences you committed when they were about to discharge their duty with a warrant of arrest on you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 197 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State of Nigeria, 2006.”
But delivering his ruling on the application for bail made by his counsel, the Presiding Magistrate, Chief Magistrate Soneye said the offences were bailable and consequently admitted Okikiola to bail with a bail bond of N300,000 and two surety who must reside within the jurisdiction of the honourable court
On the case of assault and stealing, the “Zaa Zuu Zee” coroner was also admitted to a bail of N500,000 with two surety in like sum.
While ruling that the defendant be transferred to the Ilaro Correctional Centre pending the time of perfection of his bail requirements, Chief Magistrate Soneye adjourned till 26th of April, 2023 for the commencement of trial.