Ogun State police prosecutors have hauled nine associates of singer Portable before an Abeokuta Magistrates’ Court for alleged assault on government officials.
The Zazau crooner on Wednesday lamented that Ogun State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development officials have sealed off his Odogwu Bar and his hotel building, but it emerged that the officials were there to verify if Portable have permits for his building construction, but they were allegedly assaulted by Portable and his associates.
Those arraigned on Thursday include Oluwaseun Ayenuwa, 19; Precious Ohiegebo, 19; Oluwapelumi Adeosun, 20; Gospel Kanu, 20; Nurudeen Warris, 21; Adetola Alashe, 25; Fatimo Muhammed, 26; Ifeoluwa Babatunde, 27; and Samuel Adeleke, 28, were arraigned on a five-count charge of armed violence with cutlasses and guns, felony, obstruction, assault, conduct likely to cause a breach of peace, and intent to kill.
However, the defendants pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
Police Prosecutor Sunday Ekong told the court that the defendants committed the offences alongside Portable around 10:00 am on Wednesday at Oke-Osa, Tigbo Ilu, Sango-Ota, in the Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area.
Ekong explained that the singer, who is currently at large, unlawfully restricted, obstructed, and assaulted town planners Ramon Lateef, Akinpelumi Oyero, and Abidemi Onabanjo while they were performing their lawful duties at Odogwu Bar, a business owned by Portable.
The prosecutor noted that the defendants were armed with dangerous weapons and had the intent to kill the officers.
The charges violated sections 516, 356(3), 80, 249(d), and 320 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State, 2006.
In her ruling, Justice O.M. Somefun granted the defendants bail in the sum of N5 million each, with sureties who are licensed bond agents registered with the state government.
The case was further adjourned until March 17 for hearing.
