Saheed Osupa withdraws legal case against Portable following public pleas

Fuji legend Saheed Osupa has officially withdrawn the legal case filed against controversial street-hop artiste, Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable.

Recall that Portable was arrested by the Kwara State Police Command on Sunday, following a petition filed by Osupa over defamatory comments made during a live Instagram session on March 19, 2025. During the broadcast, Portable accused Osupa of being envious and attempting to sabotage his musical career.

The outspoken singer was later arraigned in court and remanded to the Oke-Kura Correctional Centre in Ilorin, pending the fulfillment of his bail conditions. His court appearance drew attention after two of his wives were seen at the court premises in solidarity.

However, in a new twist, Osupa has ordered the immediate withdrawal of the case. This was disclosed in a statement released on Tuesday by his media aide, Busari Basit Babatunde.

According to the statement, the initial legal action was not a personal attack but a response by Osupa’s management to what they described as “a gross violation of intellectual property rights and repeated acts of defamation and misconduct.”

“It was never about vendetta,” the statement noted. “Rather, it was to establish a precedent for responsible conduct within the entertainment industry, particularly among the younger generation of artistes.”

The decision to withdraw the case was influenced by passionate appeals from several notable Nigerians, including Alhaji Ahmad Lawal (CEO, Lahmad Concepts), Saheed Ibile (CEO, Harmony Holdings Ltd.), Alhaji Fatai Lajero (on behalf of Olufimo Royal Parliament), and Alhaji Waheed Ogunsesan (National President, Olufimo Fans Club).

Moved by these appeals and Portable’s ordeal in custody, Saheed Osupa chose compassion over prosecution.

“Osupa believes that while accountability is crucial, mercy remains a virtue of leadership,” the statement read. “He hopes this incident becomes a defining moment in Portable’s life and a catalyst for personal growth.”

As part of the conditions for withdrawal, Portable is expected to:

Publicly retract his claim suggesting that Saheed Osupa should be held responsible if anything happens to him.

Denounce the false statement made by his lawyer, Chief Barr. Isaac Adebayo, alleging that Portable held Osupa’s leg and begged for forgiveness—an incident Osupa says never occurred.

Sign an undertaking to desist from further acts of defamation, cyberbullying, and character assassination.

With this gesture, many observers hope Portable will reflect deeply and make meaningful changes to his public behavior.