Saheed Osupa drops legal case against Portable
Nigerian Fuji legend, Saheed Osupa, has officially withdrawn the cyberstalking and defamation case filed against controversial street-hop singer Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable.
The development followed a wave of high-level interventions and appeals from key industry figures and prominent Nigerians.
The case was formally dropped on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at the Upper Area Court 1 in Ilorin, Kwara State. According to Osupa’s legal counsel, Ahmed Opalekunde, the decision was taken at the direct request of Osupa. This is following emotional pleas from several respected figures, including Alhaji Ahmad Lawal (CEO, Lahmad Concepts), Saheed Ibile (CEO, Harmony Holdings Ltd), Alh. Fatai Lajero (Olufimo Royal Parliament), and Alh. Waheed Ogunsesan (President, Olufimo Fans Club).
Also, Osupa's management emphasized that the initial legal action was not driven by personal animosity. It was intended to uphold standards of responsibility and respect in the entertainment industry. This is particularly among younger artists. The case had stemmed from a March 19, 2025 Instagram live session, during which Portable allegedly made defamatory and inflammatory comments about Osupa.
In the viral video, Portable had accused the Fuji icon of being “big for nothing” and made references to using lyrics from Osupa’s songs while comparing him unfavorably to fellow Fuji star, Pasuma. The remarks were considered defamatory, leading to Portable’s arrest and arraignment before Chief Magistrate Sunday Adeniyi. He was granted bail set at ₦1 million with two sureties, one being a PMAN chairman, and the other a property owner in Ilorin GRA.
However, moved by Portable's situation and the inability to meet his bail conditions, Osupa opted for a compassionate approach. His legal team submitted a formal withdrawal letter to the court. By this, urging it to terminate the proceedings and caution Portable against future defamatory behavior.
According to a statement from Osupa’s team, the withdrawal is conditional. Portable is expected to retract his statement suggesting that Saheed Osupa should be held responsible for anything that might happen to him. He must also publicly confess that the claims made by his lawyer, Chief Bar. Isaac Adebayo alleging that Osupa begged him for forgiveness, were false. In addition, Portable is required to sign an undertaking to cease all forms of cyberbullying, defamation, and character attacks going forward.
The team warned that failure to meet these terms could lead to the reinstatement of the case.
"While accountability is important, so is mercy. This is a chance for Portable to reflect, grow, and transform," the statement concluded.
