Portable Remanded In Prison After Failing To Meet ₦1 M Bail Conditions Over Defamation Charges
Controversial singer Habeeb Okikiola Badmus, popularly known as Portable, has been granted bail in the sum of ₦1 million by an Upper Area Court in Ilorin, Kwara State, following his arraignment on multiple charges including criminal defamation, intimidation, inciting public disturbance, and cyberstalking.
The court, sitting on Monday, ruled that his bail was conditional upon the provision of two sureties in like sum. One surety must be either the Chairman or Secretary of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), while the other must possess landed property within a Government Reserved Area (GRA) in Ilorin, supported by a valid Certificate of Occupancy (C of O).
However, despite being granted bail, Portable was unable to meet the conditions and has been remanded at the Oke Kura Correctional Centre in Ilorin.
The charges stem from a petition filed by fellow artist Okunola Saheed Osupa, popularly known as Osupa, dated March 21, 2025. According to the petition, during a live Instagram broadcast on March 19, 2025, Portable allegedly defamed Osupa, accusing him of being jealous of his success and attempting to tarnish his reputation.
Osupa’s petition claimed that Portable’s comments were not only defamatory but also intended to incite public hatred and disturb the peace.
The singer faces multiple legal counts, including:
He is also charged under several provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 — specifically Sections 24(1)(b) and 24(2)(c) — and under Sections 10 and 13 of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, 2020.
The case, filed under First Information Report (FIR) 117(1) CPC, was initiated by the State Intelligence Department of the Nigeria Police.
The court has adjourned the matter to a later date, with the presiding judge urging all parties to maintain decorum as the trial progresses.
