Controversial Nigerian singer Habeeb Okikiola Badmus, popularly known as Portable, has been granted bail by an Upper Area Court in Ilorin, Kwara State, following multiple criminal charges.
Controversial Nigerian singer Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has been granted bail following his arraignment in Ilorin on charges related to cyberbullying, defamation, and public incitement.
The bail was set at ₦1 million, with two sureties required. While one must be either the Chairman or Secretary of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), the other must own property in a Government Reserved Area (GRA) with a valid Certificate of Occupancy.
Portable was arraigned on charges of criminal defamation, intimidation, inciting public disturbance, and cyberstalking. The case, referenced as First Information Report (FIR) 117(1) CPC, was filed by the Nigerian Police State Intelligence Department. This was after fellow artist Okunola Saheed Osupa, known as Osupa, lodged a formal complaint dated March 21, 2025.
According to report, the accusations stem from a live Instagram video broadcast by Portable on March 19, 2025. In the video, Portable allegedly made defamatory remarks about Osupa. He accused Osupa of being envious of his success. He also claimed that Osupa had removed his songs from Apple Music and Spotify to sabotage his earnings.
“This man is trying to dim my shine! He behaves like someone eating a snail with the shell—he lacks sense. Osupa is like a tortoise. When Apple Music and Spotify were about to pay me, he took down my songs from the platforms so I wouldn’t get the money,” Portable was quoted as saying.
Osupa stated that the video not only defamed his character but was also intended to incite public hatred and unrest. Police confirmed that Portable admitted to making the remarks during an interrogation at the State Intelligence Department in Ilorin.
The charges were filed under Sections 392 (Criminal Defamation), 114 (Inciting Disturbance), and 397 (Criminal Intimidation) of the Penal Code. Investigating Officer ASP Adeniyi James confirmed that the charges were based on orders from police command following the complaint and subsequent investigation.
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