Controversial Nigerian singer Portable, born Habeeb Okikiola, narrowly avoided re-arrest on Tuesday following the withdrawal of a criminal petition filed by fuji music legend, Saheed Osupa.
Osupa had accused Portable of criminal defamation, intimidation, inciting public disturbance, and cyberstalking stemming from a March 19 Instagram live rant. Portable was arrested and arraigned in Kwara State, spending time in detention after failing to meet bail conditions.
However, the charges were dropped after high-profile industry stakeholders stepped in to mediate, leading Osupa to officially withdraw the petition through his lawyer.
But just as Portable walked free, another storm was brewing.
The management of Starwood Hotels, Ilorin, accused him of failing to perform at a paid event during the Kwara Tampan Fiesta on September 29, 2023, despite receiving a hefty N6.3 million appearance fee. According to hotel MD Yemi George, Portable arrived 16 hours late and snuck out without performing.
George revealed he was ready to re-arrest Portable but held off out of respect for Osupa, who had just helped mediate his release.
The hotel has since filed a new petition titled:
“Petition for Fraudulent and Obtaining by False Pretence the Sum of N6.3 Million”,
and is demanding a full investigation, prosecution, and refund.
Bottom Line: Portable may have dodged a bullet with Osupa, but with a new fraud claim hanging over his head, the storm is far from over.
