Controversial Nigerian singer, Habeeb Okikiola Badmus, popularly known as Portable, has been granted bail in the sum of N1 million by an Upper Area Court sitting in Ilorin, following his arraignment on charges of criminal defamation, intimidation, inciting disturbance, and cyberstalking.
Just Event Online TV reports, As part of the bail conditions, the court ordered that Portable must provide two sureties in like sum. One must be either the Chairman or Secretary of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), while the other must own a landed property in a Government Reserved Area (GRA) with a valid Certificate of Occupancy (C of O).
The case, filed as First Information Report (FIR) 117(1) CPC, was initiated by the State Intelligence Department (SID) of the Nigeria Police, following a petition by fellow artist Okunola Saheed, popularly known as Osupa, dated March 21, 2025.
The petition alleged that Portable, during a live Instagram broadcast on March 19, 2025, made defamatory remarks against Osupa, accusing him of jealousy and attempts to sabotage his career.
In the viral video, Portable was quoted saying: “This man dey try bring down my shine! He be like person wey dey chop snail with shell—him 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.”
Osupa described the statements as damaging, inciting, and an attack on his reputation, further claiming that the content had caused public tension and unrest.
Police investigators said Portable confessed to the allegations during interrogation at the SID in Ilorin.
The singer was arraigned under multiple legal provisions, including:
Section 392 (Criminal Defamation),
Section 114 (Inciting Disturbance),
Section 397 (Criminal Intimidation) of the Penal Code,
Sections 24(1)(b) and 24(2)(c) of the Cybercrimes Act, 2015,
Sections 10 and 13 of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, 2020.
According to Investigating Police Officer, ASP Adeniyi James, the charges were filed based on direct instructions from police authorities.
Portable, who hails from Oke-Osa in Sango-Ota, Ogun State, remains in custody pending fulfillment of his bail conditions. The case has been adjourned, with the trial judge urging both parties to remain civil as the legal process continues.
