Hs release was tied to strict conditions, including the provision of two sureties. One must be either the Chairman or Secretary of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), and the other must be a resident property owner in a Government Reserved Area (GRA) in Ilorin, with a valid Certificate of Occupancy
By Afolabi Ayodele
Kwara State, Nigeria | April 14 2025
Popular Nigerian artist Habeeb Okikiola Badmus, widely recognized by his stage name Portable, has been remanded at the Oke Kura Correctional Centre in Ilorin, Kwara State, after failing to meet the bail conditions set by the Upper Area Court.
The singer appeared in court on Monday to face charges bordering on defamation of character and was granted bail in the sum of ₦1 million. However, his release was tied to strict conditions, including the provision of two sureties. One must be either the Chairman or Secretary of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), and the other must be a resident property owner in a Government Reserved Area (GRA) in Ilorin, with a valid Certificate of Occupancy.
Despite the bail approval, Portable, popularly known for his hit song “Zazoo Zeh,” has not yet been able to meet these requirements, leading to his temporary detention.
The case, referenced under FIR 117(1) CPC, was filed by the State Intelligence Department of the Nigeria Police following a petition dated March 21, 2025, by fellow musician Okunola Saheed Osupa, also known as Osupa. According to the petition, Portable had, on March 19, 2025, made an Instagram live video in which he allegedly made defamatory statements against Osupa, accusing him of jealousy and sabotage.
In the video, Portable reportedly said: “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, in his statement to the police, described the remarks as defamatory, damaging, and intended to stir public hatred and unrest.
Police disclosed that during questioning, Portable admitted to making the statements. He was subsequently arraigned under multiple legal statutes, including Section 392 (Criminal Defamation), Section 114 (Inciting Disturbance), and Section 397 (Criminal Intimidation) of the Penal Code. Charges also include violations of Section 24(1)(b) and 24(2)(c) of the Cybercrimes Act of 2015 and Sections 10 and 13 of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, 2020.
ASP Adeniyi James, the Investigating Police Officer, confirmed that the charges were filed based on directives from police authorities.
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