Controversial Nigerian singer, Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has been remanded in the Oke Kura Correctional Centre in Ilorin, Kwara State, after failing to meet the bail conditions imposed by an Upper Area Court.
The court had granted him bail in the sum of N1 million with two sureties in like sum. However, the singer was unable to fulfill the strict conditions — one surety must be the Chairman or Secretary of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), and the other a property owner in a Government Reserved Area (GRA) in Ilorin with a valid Certificate of Occupancy.
The charges against Portable stem from a petition filed by Fuji music veteran, Okunola Saheed Osupa, who accused the singer of making defamatory and inciting remarks against him during a live Instagram session.
In the video, Portable claimed Osupa was sabotaging his career by removing his music from platforms like Apple Music and Spotify.
“This man dey try bring down my shine! He be like person wey dey chop snail with shell—him no get sense,” Portable said in part.
The remarks, according to Osupa, were not only defamatory but capable of inciting public hatred and disturbing the peace.
READ ALSO: Singer Portable Arrested in Abeokuta Over Criminal Defamation Allegations
Police authorities confirmed that the arrest followed a valid warrant issued by a Magistrate Court in Ilorin. Portable was apprehended in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Sunday, April 13, and brought to Ilorin the same day for further investigation.
A statement from the Kwara State Police Command spokesperson, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said the singer faces multiple charges including criminal defamation, threats to life, incitement, character assassination, and conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace.
“Upon his arrival, the suspect’s statement was taken in the presence of legal representatives from both parties,” the statement added.
Portable, who reportedly confessed during interrogation, will remain in custody until he is able to fulfill the court’s bail conditions.