Controversial musician Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, was charged by the Kwara State Police Command on Monday at an Upper Area Court in Ilorin, Kwara State.
Notably, Portable was arrested on Saturday by the Kwara State Police in Abeokuta, Ogun State, following a petition from fuji musician Saheed Osupa Akorede.
As confirmed in a police statement, Portable was arraigned before the court, with Hon. Sunday Adeniyi presiding.
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According to the Police First Information Report (FIR), Osupa accused Portable of criminal defamation, criminal intimidation, inciting public disturbance, and cyberstalking.
READ MORE: Kwara Police Confirm Arrest Of Portable Over Alleged Defamation Against Saheed Osupa
Osupa accused Portable of using live stream videos to verbally abuse him, claiming that the defendant (Portable) tarnished his image by alleging that he had removed his music from platforms like Apple Music and Spotify, which could have been generating income for him.
The police prosecutor, Abubakar Issa, requested the court to remand Portable in a correctional facility until the police investigation into the matter is concluded.
However, Portable’s counsel, Barr. Adebayo Issac, urged the court to disregard the prosecutor’s request, arguing that the police could have kept the defendant in custody until their investigation was completed.
He informed the court that his client had been granted administrative bail by the police on Sunday, stressing that Portable is a public figure with a traceable address and would make himself available for trial if granted bail.
Adebayo based his argument on Section 172 (1) and Section 165 of the Administration of Criminal Justice System, stating that a careful consideration of these legal provisions would guide the court in granting Portable bail.
In his brief ruling, the presiding judge, Hon. Sunday Adeniyi, granted Portable bail in the sum of N1 million with two sureties. One of the sureties must be the chairman of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN).
The judge then adjourned the case to April 30, 2025.
