Nigerian street-pop artist Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, was sentenced to three months in prison on April 28, 2025, by a Lagos Magistrate Court for assaulting a police officer during a public altercation in Ogba, Lagos.
The conviction, stems from a March 2025 incident where Portable, 30, resisted arrest and physically attacked an officer, injuring his arm, after a dispute over unpaid debts. The court rejected Portable’s plea for leniency, citing his history of public misconduct.
The incident, captured on video, showed Portable shoving the officer while shouting profanities, prompting police to charge him with assault and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace, per Lagos State Penal Code. Prosecutors presented evidence of prior incidents, including a 2023 assault case where Portable was granted bail, per The Guardian. Magistrate T.A. Oladele ruled that the three-month sentence, without a fine option, would deter similar behavior, ordering Portable to serve his term at Kirikiri Correctional Centre.
Portable’s lawyer, Kayode Ogunleye, announced plans to appeal, arguing the sentence was excessive for a “minor scuffle” and citing Portable’s role as a breadwinner for his family, per Al Jazeera. The artist, known for hits like “Zazu Zeh,” has a controversial reputation, with past arrests for fraud and property damage. His management issued a statement expressing regret, urging fans to remain calm, but the conviction has sparked debate over celebrity accountability in Nigeria’s entertainment industry.
The case highlights Nigeria’s growing focus on law enforcement reform, with 2024 police data showing 15,000 assault cases nationwide, 10% involving public figures. The Nigerian Bar Association praised the ruling as a step toward equal justice.. Portable’s imprisonment, effective immediately, may impact his career, with scheduled performances in London and Abuja canceled, costing promoters N20 million, per industry sources. The appeal process, set to begin in June, will determine if Portable can overturn the sentence or face further legal repercussions.