By Hassanat Adebowale
An Abeokuta Magistrate’s Court has postponed the trial of popular Nigerian musician, Habeeb Okikiola, also known as Portable, to March 26, 2025. The adjournment was granted to allow the prosecution to merge his charges with those of his workers for a joint hearing.
During Wednesday’s session, Senior State Counsel, Timileyin Oredein, informed the court of a related case involving Portable’s nine workers. He argued that conducting separate trials would be a waste of the court’s time and resources. Oredein explained that the charges against the workers were connected to Portable’s case, making it necessary to consolidate them before proceedings begin.
The court had earlier arraigned Portable and his workers on February 6, 2025, on similar charges. Portable himself was later arraigned on February 20, 2025. According to Oredein, merging the cases would ensure efficiency and a coordinated trial process. He requested the court for a short adjournment to enable the prosecution to amend and substitute the charges accordingly.
Portable and his workers face a five-count charge, which includes conspiracy, assault, unlawful obstruction while armed with weapons, and conduct likely to breach public peace. They are also accused of allegedly assaulting three officials from the Ogun State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development during the incident.
The charges stem from allegations that the musician and his associates obstructed government officials while armed with cutlasses and a gun, thereby disrupting public order. The prosecution argues that the accused persons acted unlawfully during the encounter, leading to their arrest and subsequent arraignment.
Assault, obstructing public officials, and actions likely to disrupt public peace are serious crimes under Nigerian criminal law. These offences are addressed under the Criminal Code Act and the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), with penalties ranging from fines to imprisonment depending on the severity of the crime and the evidence presented in court.
Assaulting a public officer is a criminal act under Section 356 of the Criminal Code and comes with significant penalties.
Conspiracy, as outlined in Section 516, criminalizes agreements to commit unlawful acts, even if the act itself isn’t carried out.
The decision to merge Portable’s charges with those of his workers aligns with the principle of judicial efficiency. Trying related offences together helps avoid conflicting judgments and ensures the legal process is handled more smoothly.
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