Court Adjourns Portable’s Case to March 26 for Charge Merger
An Abeokuta Magistrate’s Court has postponed the trial of popular Nigerian musician Habeeb Okikiola, also known as Portable, to March 26. The adjournment is to allow the prosecution to merge his charges with those of his workers.
At the court session on Wednesday, Senior State Counsel Timileyin Oredein argued that trying Portable separately from his nine workers would be inefficient.
Why the Charges Are Being Merged
Oredein reminded the court that Portable and his workers had been previously arraigned on February 6 on similar charges, making it necessary to consolidate the cases.
"It would be a waste of the court’s time to hear the case of Portable and that of his workers separately," he stated, urging the court to grant a short adjournment for the charges to be merged.
Charges Against Portable and His Workers
The Zazuu crooner and his workers are facing a five-count charge, which includes:
Conspiracy
Assault
Unlawful obstruction while armed with cutlasses and a gun
Conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace
They were also accused of assaulting three officials from the Ogun State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.
With the new adjournment date set for March 26, the court will proceed with the trial after merging the charges against the defendants.
