Controversial Nigerian singer Okikiola Badmus, popularly known as Portable, has been remanded at the Oke Kura Correctional Centre in Ilorin, Kwara State, after failing to meet the strict bail conditions given by the court.
The singer appeared at the Upper Area Court in Ilorin on Monday over allegations of defamation brought against him by Fuji music legend Okunola Saheed, better known as Saheed Osupa.
Portable was granted bail set at N1 million and was asked to provide two sureties of the same amount. One surety must be the Chairman or Secretary of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria, and the other must be a property owner in a Government Reserved Area in Ilorin, backed by a valid Certificate of Occupancy.
The case, listed as FIR 117(1) CPC, was filed by the State Intelligence Department of the police after Osupa’s petition dated March 21, 2025.
In the petition, Osupa claimed that Portable defamed him during a live Instagram session. In the video, Portable reportedly said, “This man dey try bring down my shine! He be like person wey dey chop snail with shell—him no get sense. Osupa carry tortoise for stomach. When Apple Music and Spotify want to drop money for me, na him remove my song from the platform, make I no see money.”
Osupa said the comments were damaging, aimed at destroying his reputation, and could cause public unrest.
The Kwara State Police Command confirmed that Portable was arrested on Sunday, April 13, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, and was brought to Ilorin the same day. The arrest followed a warrant granted by a Magistrate Court in Ilorin.
In a statement, the command’s spokesperson, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said the petition accused Portable of criminal defamation, threats to life, incitement, character assassination, using abusive language, and actions that could disturb public peace.
“In view of the weight of these allegations and the supporting evidence presented, the command secured a valid arrest warrant from a Magistrate Court sitting in Ilorin. Acting on this warrant, operatives from the command proceeded to Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Sunday, 13th April 2025, where the suspect was apprehended at about 19:25hrs. He was immediately brought to Ilorin for further investigations. Upon his arrival, the suspect’s statement was taken in the presence of legal representatives from both parties,” the statement read.
Investigating Police Officer, ASP Adeniyi James, also confirmed that the charges against Portable were based on official directives from police authorities.
