The drama surrounding controversial Nigerian street-pop star Portable just took another legal twist, this time, it’s landed him behind bars.
On Monday, April 14, Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, was remanded at the Oke Kura Correctional Centre in Ilorin after failing to meet his ₦1 million bail conditions. The 31-year-old singer is facing serious charges, including criminal defamation, cyberstalking, intimidation, and inciting public disturbance, all tied to a social media rant against legendary Fuji musician Saheed Osupa.
What Sparked the Arrest?
It all goes back to a heated Instagram Live session from March 19, where Portable didn’t hold back. Venting about Osupa, he accused the Fuji icon of sabotaging his music, even saying, “This man dey try bring down my shine! He carry tortoise for stomach… When Apple Music and Spotify wan drop money for me, na him remove my song.”
Osupa didn’t take the comments lightly. He filed a petition, calling the remarks not just defamatory but a calculated attempt to incite public hatred against him.
The Arrest and Court Appearance
Police spokesperson SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi confirmed that Portable was picked up in Abeokuta on Saturday, April 12, around 7:25 p.m., and transferred to Ilorin for questioning. According to Ejire-Adeyemi, the EFCC had secured an arrest warrant after reviewing evidence from both sides.
Portable was arraigned the following Monday and granted ₦1 million bail, with conditions that included two sureties: one a senior member of PMAN (Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria) and the other a property owner in Ilorin’s Government Reserved Area (GRA) with a valid Certificate of Occupancy.
As of now, Portable remains in custody, unable to meet those conditions.
A Feud Fueled by Copyright Claims
The beef between Portable and Osupa didn’t start in court, it began with a copyright takedown.
Osupa’s team flagged Portable’s 2023 single “Fuji Shakushaku” for copyright infringement, leading to its removal from streaming platforms. His management company, Digital Music Commerce and Exchange Ltd. (DMCE), stated publicly, “We cannot stand idly by while King Saheed Osupa is being disrespected.”
In response, Portable went on a series of verbal tirades, calling Osupa “big for nothing.” He later issued an apology, blaming financial stress after his music was pulled from DSPs.
More Legal Trouble for Portable
This isn’t Portable’s first run-in with the law. Over the past two years, the Zazoo Zeh crooner has racked up a rap sheet that includes charges for assault, theft, obstruction of justice, and unresolved debts in both Ogun and Lagos states.
Now, with this high-profile defamation case unfolding, the stakes are even higher.
The case, filed under FIR 117(1) CPC, involves multiple charges under Nigeria’s Penal Code, the Cybercrimes Act of 2015, and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law of 2020.
Presiding Magistrate Sunday Adeniyi has adjourned proceedings to April 30 and urged both parties to stay civil as the case continues.
