Portable Escapes Re-Arrest After Osupa Withdraws Defamation Case

Controversial Nigerian singer, Badmus Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, escaped another round of legal trouble on Tuesday after veteran fuji musician Saheed Osupa withdrew his petition against him.

Portable, who was earlier arraigned before a Kwara State Upper Area Court in Ilorin on charges including criminal defamation, cyberstalking, and inciting public disturbance, regained his freedom following the unexpected turn of events. The charges stemmed from a petition filed by Osupa, who accused Portable of making defamatory statements during a live Instagram session on March 19, 2025.

According to the petition, Portable had publicly accused the fuji icon of being jealous and attempting to ruin his career. This led to his arraignment on Monday for offences under Sections 392, 114, and 397 of the Penal Code, Sections 24(1)(b) and 24(2)(c) of the Cybercrimes Act, and Sections 10 and 13 of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law of 2020.

The court granted Portable bail in the sum of N1 million, with two sureties. One of the sureties was required to be a chairman in the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), while the other needed to own a property in Ilorin’s Government Reserved Area. However, Portable was unable to meet the bail conditions on Monday and was remanded at the Oke Kura Correctional Facility in Ilorin.

His release came the following day after Osupa, through his legal representative, Opalekunde Ahmed, filed a formal application to withdraw the case. According to the lawyer, Osupa decided to settle the matter out of court following interventions by key figures in the entertainment industry and other influential stakeholders.

In the withdrawal letter, Osupa’s legal team warned Portable against making any further defamatory remarks or actions that could harm the veteran musician’s reputation or business.

The letter stated, “Our client has resolved to withdraw the case against the defendant in the interest of public peace following appeals by respected members of the entertainment community. However, we request that the court warn the defendant to desist from any further publications or statements that could disparage our client.”

READ ALSO: Controversial Artist Portable Arrested in Ilorin Over Alleged Defamation of Fuji Star Saheed Osupa

Abdulqadir Ajasa, another lawyer representing Osupa, confirmed the withdrawal was influenced by the involvement of prominent individuals in the industry who pleaded for peace between both parties.

While Portable escapes re-arrest in the defamation case, another controversy nearly landed him back behind bars. The management of Starwood Hotels in Ilorin, led by Mr. Yemi George, had prepared documents for Portable’s re-arrest over an alleged breach of contract.

George accused the singer of collecting N6.3 million to perform at the Kwara Tampan Fiesta on September 29, 2024, but failing to deliver. According to George, despite arriving extremely late, Portable did not perform and left his hotel room secretly, leading to significant financial losses.

“I was ready to have him re-arrested today (Tuesday) to refund the money, but I held back out of respect for Saheed Osupa, who personally intervened,” George told reporters.

A formal petition, signed by Chief Olu Amusan, Governor of TAMPAN, and Ayodele Demokun on behalf of Starwood Hotels O2 Arena, accused Portable of fraudulently obtaining the performance fee under false pretence. The petitioners are calling for a full investigation and restitution of the N6.3 million.

This isn’t the first time the street-hop singer has found himself in legal waters. In February 2025, Portable was declared wanted by the Ogun State Police Command for allegedly attacking government officials from the state’s Planning and Development Permit Authority.

The officials were reportedly beaten and their equipment destroyed at Portable’s Odogwu Bar in Iyana Ilogbo. While nine of his associates were arrested, Portable remained at large until he turned himself in weeks later.

In May 2024, Portable was arrested again, this time over an unpaid debt involving a N27 million G-Wagon. Viral videos showed him attempting to evade arrest by jumping over a gate and later resisting as he was carried into a patrol vehicle by policemen.

Earlier, in March 2023, he had also been detained after ignoring police summons over an assault case, following an altercation at his bar.

Despite his turbulent record, Portable continues to enjoy attention both for his music and his headline-grabbing antics.

With the latest withdrawal by Saheed Osupa and the intervention in the performance breach case, it remains to be seen whether the singer will finally keep a low profile or land himself in fresh controversy.

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