Portable Escapes Re-Arrest as Fuji Star Saheed Osupa Withdraws Defamation Petition, Intervenes in N6.3M Fraud Case Over Unperformed Show
Controversial Nigerian singer, Badmus Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, on Tuesday narrowly escaped re-arrest after veteran Fuji musician, Saheed Osupa, withdrew a petition filed against him.
Osupa had earlier accused Portable of criminal defamation, intimidation, cyberstalking, and inciting public disturbance following a March 19, 2025, Instagram live session where the singer allegedly made defamatory remarks, accusing the Fuji star of envy and sabotage.
Acting on the petition, the Kwara State Police Command arraigned Portable before an Upper Area Court in Ilorin on Monday. He faced charges under several sections of the Penal Code, Cybercrimes Act, and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law. The court granted him bail set at N1 million with two sureties—one of whom must be the chairman of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria, and the other a landowner in Ilorin’s Government Reserved Area. Unable to meet the conditions immediately, Portable was remanded at the Oke Kura Correctional Facility.
However, in a twist on Tuesday, Osupa’s lawyer, Opalekunde Ahmed, filed for the withdrawal of the case, citing interventions from notable figures in the entertainment industry and beyond. A withdrawal letter submitted to the court emphasized that the issue had been settled amicably, while warning Portable against further defamatory actions.
In a related development, Portable also evaded re-arrest over an alleged N6.3 million fraud after Osupa reportedly intervened again. The Managing Director of Starwood Hotels, Mr. Yemi George, revealed he had planned to re-arrest Portable for collecting payment for a show he failed to perform. However, out of respect for Osupa, he held back.
According to a separate petition, Portable was contracted to perform at the “Kwara Tampan Fiesta” on September 29, 2024, but arrived 16 hours late and allegedly fled his hotel without performing. The petition, signed by Chief Olu Amusan and Ayodele Demokun, called for a full investigation and refund of the N6.3 million payment.
This is not the first brush with the law for Portable. He has been involved in multiple police cases, including an incident in February 2025 where he allegedly attacked Ogun State officials, and a May 2024 arrest over unpaid debt for a N27 million G-Wagon. His past also includes a March 2023 arrest for assaulting a man at his Ogun bar.
Despite his legal entanglements, Portable continues to stir headlines sometimes for his music, more often for his controversies.
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