Popular Nigerian singer Habeeb Okikiola Badmus, widely known by his stage name Portable, has been remanded in the Oke Kura Correctional Centre in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, following his inability to meet stringent bail conditions imposed by an Upper Area Court.
Portable, who appeared in court on charges of defamation of character, was granted bail on Monday in the sum of ₦1 million.
However, the court ruled that his release was contingent upon providing two sureties in like sum.
According to the court’s directive, one of the sureties must be either the Chairman or Secretary of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), while the other must be a property owner within a Government Reserved Area (GRA) in Ilorin, supported by a valid Certificate of Occupancy (C of O).
Despite being granted bail, the “Zazoo Zeh” crooner could not immediately fulfil the conditions.
The case, documented under First Information Report (FIR) 117(1) CPC, was filed by the State Intelligence Department of the Nigeria police following a petition dated March 21, 2025, by fellow artist Okunola Saheed Osupa, aka Osupa.
According to the petition, on March 19, 2025, Portable made a live broadcast on Instagram, where he allegedly defamed Osupa, claiming the complainant was envious of his success and attempting to destroy his reputation.
In the video, Portable was quoted to have 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 (This man is trying to dim my shine! He behaves like someone eating a snail with the shell—he lacks sense. Osupa is like a tortoise. When Apple Music and Spotify were about to pay me, he took down my song from the platforms so I wouldn’t get the money).”
In his statement, the complainant, Osupa, maintained that Portable’s remarks were not only defamatory and damaging but also intended to incite public hatred and disturb the peace.
Upon interrogation at the State Intelligence Department (SID), Ilorin, Portable reportedly confessed to the allegations, police said.
The accused was arraigned under several legal provisions: Section 392 (Criminal Defamation), Section 114 (Inciting Disturbance), Section 397 (Criminal Intimidation) of the Penal Code.
Section 24(1)(b) and 24(2)(c) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, Sections 10 and 13 of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, 2020.
The Investigating Police Officer, ASP Adeniyi James, confirmed that Portable was charged based on a directive from the police authorities.
Portable, a native of Oke-Osa in Sango-Ota, Ogun State, is expected to fulfil his bail conditions before being released. The case has been adjourned, and the presiding judge has urged all parties to maintain decorum as proceedings continue.
Sahara Reporters
