Popular Nigerian Fuji musician, Saheed Akorede, popularly known as Osupa, on Tuesday intervened to halt the re-arrest of controversial singer Habeeb Okikiola, better known as Portable, following a fresh petition against the artiste over a failed performance.
Portable, who was earlier released after Osupa dropped a separate case of cyberstalking against him, faced a new legal threat from Starwood Hotels in Ilorin. The hotel alleged that the singer received N6.3 million to perform at an event but failed to deliver.
Managing Director of Starwood Hotels O2 Arena, Mr. Yemi George, confirmed to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that Portable was scheduled to perform at the Kwara Tampan Fiesta on September 29, 2024, but neither honored the agreement nor refunded the payment.
“I have obtained every necessary document to re-arrest him today (Tuesday) in order to refund my money, but out of respect for the legendary Fuji musician (Osupa), he prevailed on me not to,” George stated.
According to a petition titled ‘Petition for Fraudulent and Obtaining by False Pretense the Sum of N6.3m’, Portable breached a contractual agreement by arriving over 16 hours late and sneaking out of his hotel without performing.
The petition, signed by Chief Olu Amusan, Governor of the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN), and Ayodele Demokun on behalf of Starwood Hotels, calls for a full investigation and restitution.
This development follows Portable’s earlier arrest over a petition filed by Osupa alleging criminal defamation, incitement, and threat to life. Osupa, however, withdrew the complaint on the grounds of reconciliation efforts by prominent Nigerians.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the Kwara State Command, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, had previously confirmed Portable’s arrest over the defamation charges. With this new allegation now put on hold due to Osupa’s intervention, the saga surrounding the singer continues to evolve.
It remains unclear if Starwood Hotels will pursue legal action at a later date, should the matter remain unresolved.
