Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has avoided a three-month prison sentence after opting to pay a N30,000 fine for his conviction on assault and theft charges. The ruling was handed down on Tuesday by Chief Magistrate Babajide Ilo at the Ifo Magistrate Court in Ogun State.

Details of the Case and Charges

Portable faced legal action after an incident on November 18, 2022, at around 11:00 a.m. in Okeosa, Ilogbo within the Ifo Magisterial District. He was accused of conspiring with others to assault Osimosu Emmanuel Oluwafemi, causing physical harm. Additionally, Portable was charged with stealing musical equipment, which included a Yamaha H55 studio monitor, a complete studio 2 interface connection cable, and an AKG P420 condenser microphone.

The court found Portable guilty on two counts: assault and conspiracy to commit assault.

Court's Ruling and Sentence

The court sentenced Portable to:

Count 1 (Conspiracy and assault): 1 month in prison or a N10,000 fine.

Count 2 (Assault): 2 months in prison or a N20,000 fine.

Portable chose to pay the N30,000 fine, thus avoiding the prison term.

Background of Legal Proceedings

The case against Portable had been ongoing since April 2023, when he was first arraigned on three counts related to assault and theft. However, the proceedings were delayed due to his failure to attend multiple court hearings, which led to his brief detention in the State Correctional Service. He was finally brought back to court for sentencing on Tuesday.

Initially granted bail in the sum of N300,000, with two sureties from his family, Portable’s repeated absences from court led to his remand and subsequent sentencing.

Public Reaction and Legal Implications

Portable’s case has sparked significant public debate, with many questioning whether the relatively small fine imposed on the artist reflects the seriousness of the charges. His legal troubles underscore the complexities of the intersection between celebrity culture and the Nigerian criminal justice system.

Despite avoiding jail time, Portable’s situation remains a topic of widespread discussion, as the public continues to weigh in on the fairness of his punishment.