Court adjourns Portable’s assault case to March 26

An Abeokuta Magistrate’s Court has adjourned the proceedings against the well-known musician Habeeb Okikiola, also referred to as Portable, to March 26, to facilitate the consolidation of his charges with those of his associates.

Upon the resumption of the proceedings against the artist on Wednesday, following his previous arraignment on February 20, the prosecution asserted before the court that adjudicating Portable’s case independently from that of his associates would constitute an inefficient use of judicial resources.

Mr. Timileyin Oredein, Senior State Counsel, informed the court that Portable’s case was intrinsically linked to a related case, which necessitated consolidation prior to the commencement of the trial.

Oredein further reminded the court that both the musician and nine of his associates had previously been arraigned on February 6 on analogous charges.

He stated that it would be an inefficient allocation of time if the defendants were to face trial in isolation.

Oredein requested that the court schedule an expedited date for the merging and substitution of the charges.

Portable and his associates were charged with a five-count indictment including conspiracy, assault, unlawful obstruction while armed with cutlasses and a firearm, and engaging in conduct likely to incite a breach of the peace.

Additionally, they faced charges for allegedly assaulting three representatives of the Ogun State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.