Popular Nigerian street-hop sensation, Habeeb Okikiola Badmus, better known by his stage name Portable, has found himself behind bars at the Oke Kura Correctional Centre in Ilorin, Kwara State, following his failure to meet tough bail conditions handed down by an Upper Area Court.
The controversial “Zazoo Zeh” crooner was arraigned on Monday on a slew of serious charges, including criminal defamation, incitement, and cybercrime, stemming from a bitter social media feud with fellow artist, Okunola Saheed Osupa, popularly known as Osupa.
The legal firestorm ignited after Portable went live on Instagram on March 19, 2025, delivering a blistering tirade against Osupa. In the video, which quickly went viral, Portable accused his colleague of jealousy and sabotage, claiming Osupa deliberately removed his songs from Apple Music and Spotify to prevent him from earning royalties.
“This man dey try bring down my shine!” Portable fumed in Pidgin English. “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.”
The outburst sparked widespread reactions online and drew the ire of Osupa, who lodged a formal petition with the Nigeria Police on March 21, 2025, alleging defamation, intimidation, and incitement of public hatred.
Following police investigations, Portable was arrested and interrogated by officers of the State Intelligence Department (SID), where he reportedly confessed to the allegations, according to police sources.
He was arraigned on multiple charges under the Penal Code, including:
Section 392 – Criminal Defamation
Section 114 – Inciting Disturbance
Section 397 – Criminal Intimidation
Additional charges were brought under:
Section 24(1)(b) and 24(2)(c) of the Cybercrimes Act, 2015
Sections 10 and 13 of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, 2020
Bail Drama: Conditions Too Steep for the Street King
Though granted bail in the sum of ₦1 million, the terms set by the court were nothing short of steep. Portable was ordered to produce two sureties: one 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, backed by a valid Certificate of Occupancy (C of O).
As of Monday afternoon, the singer was unable to meet the court’s requirements, resulting in his remand at the Oke Kura Correctional Centre pending compliance.
The case, registered under FIR 117(1) CPC, has been adjourned for further hearing. The presiding judge has urged all parties involved to maintain decorum and allow the legal process to unfold without interference or media hysteria.
Portable, a native of Oke-Osa in Sango-Ota, Ogun State, remains in custody as his legal team scrambles to meet the court’s bail requirements. The unfolding drama adds yet another chapter to the singer’s turbulent public life, often marked by controversy and outspokenness.
As the gavel echoes in Ilorin, the question lingers: will Portable dance his way out of this legal tangle, or will his music be silenced by the cold clang of justice?
PIONEER NEWS 