The Ogun State police command on Thursday arraigned the nine proteges of Nigerian singer, Habeeb Okikiola aka Portbale, at the State Magistrates’ Court in Isabo, Abeokuta.
The defendants were arraigned for allegedly attacking Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development officers from the Ota Zonal Planning office.
Portable was however said to be on the run.
The defendants are Nurudeen Warris, 21, Adetola Alashe, 25, Samuel Adeleke, 28, Oluwaseun Ayenuwa, 19, Oluwapelumi Adeosun, 20, Gospel Kanu, 20, Precious Ohiegebo, 19, Ifeoluwa Babatunde, 27, and Fatimo Muhammad, 26.
They were arraigned on a five-count charge of assault and restriction verging on crime, carrying of weapons, conduct likely to cause breach of peace, and attempted murder.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
According to Police Prosecutor, Sunday Ekong, the defendants committed the offenses at Oke-Osa in Tigbo Ilu, Sango-Ota, Ogun State, at 10:00 a.m., on Wednesday.
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Ekong said: “The defendants and Portable, who is at large, unlawfully assaulted, restricted, and obstructed Abidemi Onabanjo, Ramon Lateef, and Akinpelumi Oyero, who are town planners.
“The defendants and Portable assaulted the three town planning officers while performing their lawful duties at the Odogwu Bar being owned by Portable, a popular hip-pop musician.”
He alleged that the defendants planned to murder the Ogun State town planning officers, and acted in a way that was likely to disturb public peace.
He argued that the offenses were contrary to sections 516, 356(3), 80, 249(d), and 320 of the Ogun 2006 Criminal Code and punishable under same.
Magistrate O.M. Somefun granted the defendants bail in the sum of N5 million bail each with sureties in like sum.
She added that the sureties must be qualified bondsmen registered with the Ogun State government.
The magistrate adjourned the case till March 17.
