Defamation: Portable Fails To Meet Bail Condition, Remanded In Prison

By Akinwale Kasali

Habeeb Okikiola, controversial Singer, popular as Portable, has been remanded in prison custody, following his failure to meet bail conditions.

Portable was granted bail in the sum of ₦1 million by an Upper Area Court in Ilorin, Kwara State, following  his arraignment on charges including criminal defamation, intimidation, inciting public disturbance, and cyberstalking against Saheed Osupa, a popular Fuji Musician.

The Court on Monday also ruled that his bail is conditional upon the provision of two sureties in like sum, one of which must be either the Chairman or Secretary of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria, while the other must possess a landed property within a Government Reserved Area, backed by a valid Certificate of Occupancy.

Follwing his inability to meet the conditions, he has been remanded in the Oke Kura Correctional Centre in Ilorin, the Kwara State.

It would be recalled that on Sunday, the Kwara State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, confirmed the arrest of Portable, following a formal petition filed by Saheed Osupa alleging that Portable engaged in conduct likely to cause a breach of peace, including the use of abusive and insulting language directed at him.

The statement read, “The petition borders on serious allegations which include criminal defamation, threat to life, incitement, character assassination, and conduct likely to cause a breach of 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.”

According to the police, operatives from the Kwara State Command travelled to Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Saturday, April 13, where Portable was apprehended at about 7:25 p.m. He was immediately transported to Ilorin for further investigation.

“Upon his arrival, the suspect’s statement was taken in the presence of legal representatives from both parties. He is currently in custody and arrangements are being made to charge him to court without delay,” SP Ejire-Adeyemi confirmed.