By Kayode Adeoti
A Kwara State Upper Area Court sitting in Ilorin has granted bail to controversial Nigerian singer, Badmus Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, following his arraignment over allegations of criminal defamation, cyberstalking, and public incitement.
Portable was arraigned before Honourable Sunday Adeniyi of Upper Area Court 1 after a petition was filed against him by a renowned Fuji musician, Okunola Saheed, popularly called Osupa.
According to the First Information Report (FIR) presented by the police, the complainant accused Portable of using a live stream video to malign his character.
He alleged that the defendant falsely claimed to have removed his music from streaming platforms like Apple Music and Spotify, thereby harming his reputation and potential income.
The prosecution, led by Abubakar Issa, urged the court to remand the defendant in a correctional facility pending the conclusion of the police investigation.
However, Portable’s counsel, Barrister Adebayo Isaac, opposed the remand application, stating that the police had already granted his client administrative bail the previous day. He argued that the defendant, being a public figure with a known and traceable address, would not evade trial.
Citing Sections 172(1) and 165 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), Adebayo urged the court to grant his client bail, assuring the court of his client’s readiness to stand trial.
In his ruling, Honourable Adeniyi admitted Portable to bail in the sum of N1 million with two sureties. One of the sureties, according to the court, must be a chairman of the Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN), while the other must be a property owner within a Government Reserved Area in Ilorin, supported by a valid Certificate of Occupancy.
Meanwhile, the singer has been remanded in the Oke Kura Correctional Centre in Ilorin, pending the time he will meet his bail conditions.
The matter was adjourned till April 30, 2025, for further hearing.
