Defamation: Portable regains freedom after out-of-court settlement
Following an out-of-court settlement, controversial street-hop artiste, Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable has regained freedom from Oke-Kura Custodial Centre in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.
In a short video posted online, Portable was seen dancing to one of his song. It was obviously seen in the video that the Ogun-born Zazu crooner have had last-skin haircut.
It would be that the controversial singer was remanded at Okekura Correctional center following his failure to meet bail conditions.
The Informant247 earlier reported that Portable was arraigned in court on Monday, following his arrest by the operatives of the Kwara State Police Command over an allegations of defamation, intimidation, inciting disturbance, and cyberstalking instituted against him by King Saheed Osupa.
The bail conditions given to Singer Portable includes; two sureties with the sum of N1million each, one of whom must be either the Chairman or Secretary of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), while the other must own a landed property in a Government Reserved Area (GRA) with a valid Certificate of Occupancy (C of O).
Singer Portable was subsequently moved to the Oke-Kura custodial centre in the presence of two of his wives pending the perfection of his bail conditions.
On Sunday April 13, the Public Relations Officer of the State Police Command, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said in a statement that the Osupa had instituted a petition against Portable over a live Instagram broadcast he did on March 19, 2025, where he defamatory remarks against Osupa, accusing him of jealousy and attempts to sabotage his career.
In the viral video, Portable was quoted as saying: “this man dey try bring down my shine! He be like person wey dey chop snail with shell—him no get sense. Osupa na tortoise. When Apple Music and Spotify wan drop money for me, na him remove my song from platform make I no see money.”
Osupa described the statements as damaging, inciting, and an attack on his reputation, further claiming that the content had caused public tension and unrest.
Consequent upon his arraignment ,First Information Report (FIR) 117(1) CPC, was initiated by the State Intelligence Department (SID) of the Nigeria Police, following the petition by fellow artist Okunola Saheed, popularly known as Osupa, dated March 21, 2025.
The Police Officer, ASP Adeniyi James, who investigated Portable said, “the charges were filed based on direct instructions from police authorities and was arraigned under multiple legal provisions including; Section 392 (Criminal Defamation), Section 114 (Inciting Disturbance), Section 397 (Criminal Intimidation) of the Penal Code,
Sections 24(1)(b) and 24(2)(c) of the Cybercrimes Act, 2015, Sections 10 and 13 of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, 2020.
“Portable confessed to the allegations during interrogation at the SID in Ilorin.”
The case was adjourned to 30th April 2025 while the trial judge, urged both parties to remain civil as the legal process.
Saheed Osupa withdraws defamation case against Portable, demands public apology
However, the legendary Fuji musician Saheed Osupa had earlier today ordered the withdrawal of the legal action previously instituted against controversial street-hop artiste Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable.
The case, which was based on allegations of intellectual property theft, defamation, and persistent public misconduct, was initially filed by Osupa’s management to address what they described as “a grave violation” that could have set a damaging precedent within the music industry.
In a press statement signed by Osupa’s media aide, Busari Babatunde (Fountain), the decision to stop legal proceedings was attributed to heartfelt pleas from respected individuals in the entertainment and cultural spheres.
“King Saheed Osupa gave a personal directive for the immediate withdrawal of the case after several prominent Nigerians intervened and pleaded for mercy,” the statement read.
Among those who made appeals were Alhaji Ahmad Lawal, CEO of Lahmad Concepts; Saheed Ibile, CEO of Harmony Holdings Ltd; Alhaji Fatai Lajero representing the Olufimo Royal Parliament; and Alhaji Waheed Ogunsesan, National President of the Olufimo Fans Club.
The turning point reportedly came as Portable struggled to meet his bail conditions, a development that drew public sympathy and calls for leniency.
“While accountability is essential, mercy, too, is a pillar of leadership.
“I hope Portable will seize this opportunity for reflection, growth, and transformation,” the statement quoted Osupa as saying.
However, the withdrawal comes with conditions, the statement stated.
“As a condition of this withdrawal, Portable is expected to:
– Retract his statement implying Saheed Osupa should be held responsible if anything happens to him
– Confess to the falsehood of the public claim of his lawyer, Chief Bar. Isaac Adebayo, about holding Saheed Osupa’s leg begging for forgiveness, because contrary to this claim, Osupa did not even set his eyes on Portable
– Sign an undertaking to desist from cyberbullying, defamation, and character assassination henceforth.”
The management warned that failure to meet these conditions could lead to the reinstatement of the case.
“This was never personal,” the statement emphasized. “It was about protecting values that uphold the integrity of our industry. But in all things, there’s room for mercy and guidance.”
Osupa reaffirmed his commitment to mentoring younger artists and fostering a music space grounded in respect and discipline.
