Portable gets N1m bail over alleged cyberstalking of Osupa, his second bail this year despite promise to stop causing trouble
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Self-confessed trouble maker Portable, the street musician whose real name is Habeeb Okikiola, is still grinding his nose against prison cell after he was granted bail on Monday but could not meet the N1 million and other conditions required.
His new tackle is over alleged cyberbullying of fellow artiste Okunola Saheed, popularly called Osupa.
This is Portable’s second bail this year, coming on the heels of the one he got from a court in Abeokuta over alleged violence against Ogun officials.
He publicly announced after the earlier N2 million reprieve that he would no longer cause trouble and would from then on focus on making money ostensibly to care for his wife and baby mamas and children.
Police from Kwara bundled him off from Ogun last Saturday and arraigned him before Chief Magistrate Sunday Adeniyi in Ilorin on Monday, and was granted a N1 million bail.
Investigating Police Officer Adeniyi James disclosed that the charges were filed based on instructions from police authorities following a petition from Fuji musician Osupa.
Police First Information Report said Osupa accused Portable of criminal defamation, criminal intimidation, inciting public disturbance, and cyberstalking.
According to the prosecution, the offences are punishable under Section 392 (Criminal Defamation), Section 114 (Inciting Disturbance), Section 397 (Criminal Intimidation) of the Penal Code and Sections 24(1)(b) and 24(2)(c) of the Cybercrimes Act, 2015, as well as Sections 10 and 13 of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, 2020.
Osupa in his complaint alleged that Portable made a live stream video to abuse him, and dented his reputation by claiming that he removed his [Portable’s] music from Apple Music and Spotify which would have been fetching him income.
He also alleged that Portable:
- During a live Instagram broadcast on 19 March 2025 made defamatory remarks against him, accusing him of jealousy and attempts to sabotage his career.
- Said, “This man dey try to bring down my shine! He be like person wey dey chop snail with its shell – he doesn’t get sense. Osupa na tortoise. When Apple Music and Spotify wan drop money for me, na him remove my song from the platform make I no see money.”
Osupa described the statements as damaging, inciting, and an attack on his reputation, causing public tension and unrest.
The prosecution, led by Abubakar Issa, urged the court to remand Portable in a correctional facility pending the conclusion of police investigation.
But Portable’s counsel Adebayo Isaac opposed the remand application, saying the police had already granted his client administrative bail the previous day.
Adebayo urged the court to turn down the submission of the prosecutor, saying if it was necessary, the police would have held Portable in custody till their investigation is completed.
“I want to inform this honourable court that the defendant was granted administrative bail yesterday by the police. Portable is a public figure with a traceable address and he will make himself available for trial if admitted to bail,” Adebayo pleaded.
Adebayo said he premised his argument on Section 172 (1) and Section 165 of the Administration of Criminal Justice system.
The Magistrate admitted Portable to bail in the sum of N1 million and two sureties, one must be the Chairman of the Performing Musician Association of Nigeria and the other must own landed property in a Government Reserve Area within the jurisdiction of the court.
He adjourned further hearing until April 30.
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