Controversial Nigerian singer, Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, escaped re-arrest on Tuesday after being released from police custody, okay.ng reports.
His release followed the withdrawal of a petition against him by veteran Fuji musician Saheed Osupa, who had accused Portable of criminal defamation, intimidation, inciting public disturbance, and cyberstalking. The charges stemmed from defamatory remarks Portable made during a live Instagram broadcast in March 2025.
Portable was initially remanded in the Oke Kura Correctional Facility in Ilorin after failing to meet stringent bail conditions set by the court. These included a ₦1 million bail and two sureties—one being a Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) chairman and the other owning property in a Government Reserved Area.
On Tuesday, Osupa withdrew his case, citing intervention from industry stakeholders and societal figures. However, he warned Portable against further defamatory actions.
Despite his release, Portable faced another potential re-arrest over allegations of fraud involving ₦6.3 million paid for a performance he failed to deliver at the Kwara Tampan Fiesta in September 2024. The hotel’s Managing Director, Yemi George, confirmed that Osupa intervened to prevent the re-arrest out of respect for his reputation.
Portable has a history of legal troubles, including arrests for assaulting government officials and failing to honor financial agreements.
