Portable Evades Imprisonment After Assault Guilty Verdict, Pays ₦30,000 Fine

Nigerian musician Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known by the name Portable, has avoided imprisonment after he was convicted of assault last week. A magistrate court made the judgment this week, ordering the troubled musician to pay a ₦30,000 fine in lieu of custodial sentencing.

The singer was charged as a result of a fight between Portable and a man whose name has not been made public. The court convicted the singer of assault but chose to impose a fine instead of imprisonment due to the non-fatal nature of the attack and Portable’s adherence to legal processes.

Portable, who is known for his energetic live performances and unpredictable demeanor, has been in the news for a series of publicized scandals. Legal analysts note that the relatively lenient sentence may be the result of him being a first-time offender and the relatively low level of the injuries reported.