Saheed Osupa prevents Portable’s re-arrest over N6.3m show dispute, withdraws suit against singer

Nigeria Fuji icon, Saheed Akorede, popularly known as Osupa, has prevented the re-arrest of controversial singer, Habeeb Okikiola, fondly called Portable, after another petition surfaced against him.

Osupa discontinued his case against Portable on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, following an appeal by prominent Nigerians to settle the matter out of court.

In a new development, the Managing Director of Starwood Hotels in Ilorin, Kwara State, Yemi George, disclosed that Osupa prevailed on him not to re-arrest Portable after collecting the sum of N6.3 million for a show that he did not perform.

George said: “I have obtained every necessary document to re-arrest him today (Tuesday) in order to refund my money, but out of respect for the legendary musician (Osupa), he prevailed on me not to.

“My company, Starwood Hotels O2 Arena, in collaboration with the leadership of the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN) put an event together for Portable to perform, but he never did.”

Portable remanded in prison over defamation

According to a document obtained on Tuesday, the petitioners said they entered agreement with Portable on July 22, 2024, which he never respected.

The petitioners said Portable was paid N6.3 million to perform at the ‘Kwara Tampan Fiesta’ on September 29, 2024, but failed to appear on stage at the agreed-upon time.

Despite arriving over 16 hours late, he allegedly sneaked out of his hotel lodge without fulfilling his promise to perform.

The petitioners added that Portable’s actions caused significant financial loss and distress, noting that they are seeking a thorough investigation, prosecution, and restitution of the N6,300,000 allegedly obtained through fraudulent means.

The Kwara State Police Public Relations Officer, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, had in a statement on Sunday confirmed the arrest of Portable following a petition received from Osupa.

The petition borders on serious allegations, which include criminal defamation, threat to life, incitement, character assassination, conduct likely to cause a breach of peace, and the use of abusive and insulting words.

The Star