Controversial Singer Portable Remanded in Kwara Prison Over Bail Conditions

Nigerian street-pop sensation, Habeeb Okikiola Badmus, widely known as Portable, has been remanded at the Oke Kura Correctional Centre in Ilorin, Kwara State, following his failure to meet stringent bail conditions set by an Upper Area Court. The controversial artist, famed for his hit “Zazoo Zeh,” appeared in court on Monday to face charges of defamation of character filed by veteran Fuji musician Okunola Saheed, popularly known as Saheed Osupa.

The legal trouble stems from a petition submitted to the Kwara State Police Command, accusing Portable of serious offenses, including criminal defamation, threats to life, incitement, character assassination, conduct likely to breach public peace, and the use of abusive language. According to SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, the command’s spokesperson, the allegations were backed by substantial evidence, prompting the issuance of an arrest warrant. On Sunday, April 13, 2025, police operatives apprehended Portable in Abeokuta, Ogun State, and brought him to Ilorin for further investigation.

During Monday’s court session, Portable was granted bail set at ₦1 million, accompanied by strict conditions. The court mandated that he provide two sureties for the same amount, with one being either the Chairman or Secretary of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) and the other a property owner in a Government Reserved Area (GRA) in Ilorin, holding a valid Certificate of Occupancy. Unable to meet these requirements immediately, the singer was escorted out of the courtroom and remanded in custody.

The case has sparked widespread discussion among fans and observers, with many debating the severity of the bail conditions and the ongoing feud between Portable and Saheed Osupa. Known for his outspoken nature and frequent controversies, Portable’s legal woes have once again thrust him into the spotlight, raising questions about the boundaries of free expression in Nigeria’s entertainment industry.

The court has adjourned the case, with the presiding judge emphasizing the need for decorum as the legal process unfolds. Portable remains in custody pending his ability to fulfill the bail conditions, leaving fans awaiting the next chapter in this high-profile saga.