By Omowumi Omotosho
Controversial Nigerian singer, Habeeb Okikiola Badmus, popularly known as Portable, has been remanded at the Oke Kura Correctional Centre in Ilorin for failing to meet the bail conditions granted by an Upper Area Court in Kwara State.
Portable, who is facing charges of criminal defamation, intimidation, inciting public disturbance, and cyberstalking, was arraigned following a petition by fellow artiste, Okunola Saheed, popularly known as Osupa.
The court had earlier granted him bail in the sum of โฆ1 million, with strict conditions requiring two sureties. One of the sureties must be either the Chairman or Secretary of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), while the second must be a property owner within a Government Reserved Area (GRA) in Ilorin, with a valid Certificate of Occupancy (C of O).
Despite the bail offer, Portable failed to meet the conditions and was subsequently remanded in custody pending compliance.
According to the First Information Report (FIR) filed by the State Intelligence Department of the Nigeria Police, the charges stem from a viral Instagram live video shared by Portable on March 19, 2025. In the video, he allegedly defamed Osupa, accusing him of jealousy and sabotage. He was quoted saying, โThis man dey try bring down my shine! He be like person wey dey chop snail with shellโhim no get sense. Osupa na tortoise. When Apple Music and Spotify wan drop money for me, na him remove my song from platform make I no see money.โ
The police further revealed that Portable confessed to the allegations during interrogation.
He is being prosecuted under multiple laws, including Sections 392, 114, and 397 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.
The trial judge has adjourned the case and urged all parties to maintain order as proceedings continue. Portable, a native of Oke-Osa, Sango-Ota in Ogun State, remains in custody until he meets the court’s bail requirements.
