Controversial Nigerian singer, Badmus Okikiola, widely known as Portable, narrowly avoided re-arrest on Tuesday after a petition filed against him by veteran Fuji musician, Okunola Saheed, popularly called Saheed Osupa, was withdrawn.
Osupa had earlier taken legal steps against Portable, accusing him of criminal defamation, cyberstalking, criminal intimidation, and inciting public unrest.
His petition prompted the Kwara State Police Command to arraign Portable at the Upper Area Court in Ilorin on Monday.
The charges brought against Portable included violations of multiple laws: Section 392 (Criminal Defamation), Section 114 (Inciting Disturbance), and Section 397 (Criminal Intimidation) of the Penal Code; Sections 24(1)(b) and 24(2)(c) of the Cybercrimes Act, 2015; and Sections 10 and 13 of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, 2020.
According to the petition, the singer had, during a live Instagram broadcast on March 19, 2025, made defamatory statements against Saheed Osupa, accusing the Fuji musician of envy and alleged sabotage of his music career.
Following his arraignment, Magistrate Sunday Adeniyi granted Portable bail set at N1 million with two sureties. One of the sureties was required to be the chairman of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria, while the other must possess landed property within the Government Reserved Area under the court’s jurisdiction.
However, unable to meet the bail conditions that same day, Portable was remanded at the Oke Kura Correctional Centre in Ilorin.
Relief, however, came on Tuesday after Osupa, through his lawyer Opalekunde Ahmed, officially filed a withdrawal of the petition.
Speaking to The PUNCH on Wednesday, Ahmed explained that his client was responding to interventions by respected figures in the entertainment industry and broader society.
“It’s our client’s (nominal complainant) instruction that the stakeholders in the music industry and other notable personalities in the society have intervened in the matter and pleaded to the nominal complainant to withdraw the case against the defendant in the interest of public peace.
“We hereby on behalf of our client apply to withdraw the case against the defendant and terminate same accordingly as the matter had been resolved amicably.
“Further, sir, we want to pray the court to admonish and warn the defendant to desist from any further publications, utterances and any other acts aiming at disparaging the person and businesses of the nominal complainant,” the letter read.
Osupa’s legal representative, Abdulqadir Ajasa, also confirmed that his client dropped the case due to pleas from influential individuals who persuaded him to allow peace to reign.
While Portable was eventually released and left Ilorin on Tuesday afternoon, another petition was already in motion, this time by the management of Starwood Hotels, Ilorin, over an unpaid performance fee.
Managing Director of Starwood Hotels, Mr. Yemi George, disclosed that he had prepared all the necessary legal documents to initiate Portable’s re-arrest over a N6.3 million payment for a show the singer failed to perform at.
However, he said he was persuaded not to proceed due to Osupa’s intervention.
“I have obtained every necessary document to re-arrest him today (Tuesday) to refund my money but out of respect for the legendary fuji musician (Osupa) who prevailed on me not to,” George said.
According to a petition titled Petition for fraudulent and obtaining by false pretence the sum of N6.3m, the hotel and its partner, the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria, had booked Portable for a show titled Kwara TAMPAN Fiesta, scheduled for September 29, 2024.
Despite being paid N6.3 million and arriving more than 16 hours late, the petitioners alleged that Portable fled his hotel room without making the promised appearance on stage.
They demanded a full investigation, prosecution, and restitution, citing severe financial losses and reputational damage caused by his no-show. The petition was signed by Chief Olu Amusan, Governor of TAMPAN, and Ayodele Demokun on behalf of Starwood Hotels O2 Arena.
This isn’t the first time Portable has found himself entangled with law enforcement. Back in February 2025, the Ogun State Police declared him wanted for allegedly leading an attack on government officials from the Ogun State Planning and Development Permit Authority.
The officials were assaulted at his bar, and equipment was vandalized. While nine of his associates were arrested and arraigned, Portable reportedly went into hiding before surrendering to the Lagos State Police on February 19.
Earlier in May 2024, the singer became a viral topic after he was arrested over a car debt related to a N27 million G-Wagon purchase. In a widely shared video, he was seen attempting to escape arrest by jumping a gate, only to be apprehended and carried into a police vehicle after resisting.
Similarly, in March 2023, Portable was arrested following a 72-hour ultimatum issued by the Ogun State Police. He was accused of assaulting a man at his Odogwu Bar and, after evading arrest initially, was detained and later granted bail after court proceedings.
Portable’s pattern of legal troubles continues to stir public debate about his conduct and accountability in the entertainment industry.
