Saheed Osupa Withdraws Defamation Case Against Portable After Dramatic Legal Battle
Nigerian street-hop sensation Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has been released from custody following the dramatic withdrawal of a defamation and cyberstalking lawsuit filed against him by legendary Fuji musician, Saheed Osupa.
The controversy erupted after Portable, during a live Instagram session on March 19, 2025, made a series of inflammatory claims, accusing Osupa of attempting to sabotage his career. The broadcast, which quickly went viral, was seen as disrespectful to the Fuji veteran and triggered widespread debate within the entertainment community.
In response, Osupa filed a petition accusing Portable of criminal defamation, cyberbullying, inciting public unrest, and intimidation. He also alleged that Portable’s song, Fuji Shakushaku, illegally sampled his work, resulting in the track’s removal from Apple Music.
Portable was arrested on April 13 in Abeokuta and transferred to Ilorin, Kwara State, where he was arraigned in court. Although granted bail, he was unable to meet the stringent conditions, which included sureties from the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) and a verified property owner, leading to his temporary remand at the Oke Kura Correctional Centre.
In a surprising development on April 15, Osupa officially withdrew the case. According to his legal team, the initial action was taken to protect his artistic rights and reputation, but was later dropped out of compassion and in the hope that Portable would correct his ways.
As part of the resolution, Portable was required to publicly retract his statements, admit they were false, and sign an undertaking to maintain decorum and refrain from such conduct in the future.
With these conditions met, Portable was released, bringing an end to the high-profile legal saga. The episode stands as a stark reminder of the power of words in the digital age, and the importance of accountability in public discourse, especially among public figures.
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