Fuji musician Saheed Osupa has withdrawn the defamation lawsuit against controversial singer, Habeeb Okikiola popularly known as Portable.
Gatekeepers News reports that Portable was arrested by operatives of Kwara State police command on Saturday over allegations of criminal defamation, threat to life, incitement, and character assassination against Osupa.
An upper area court in Ilorin, Kwara state capital, on Monday, granted Portable, bail in the sum of N1 million, with the condition that he must provide two sureties in like sum, one of which must be either the chairman or secretary of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN).
The other must also possess a landed property within a government-reserved area, backed by a valid certificate of occupancy (C of 0).
Osupa had filed a petition accusing Portable of using abusive and insulting language that could incite violence and damage his reputation.
The petition came after Portable’s song was taken down from Apple Music and Spotify over copyright infringement issues in March.
Portable had incorporated a line closely associated with Osupa’s style, prompting Osupa’s team to file a formal complaint.
In response, the singer called out Osupa, using offensive terms such as “big for nothing,” which drew criticism across social media.
Portable later apologised to Osupa, saying his earlier outburst was caused by a loss of temper.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Fuji singer’s management disclosed that the lawsuit was dropped following the intervention of prominent Nigerians.
The statement reads, “However, following heartfelt pleas from several prominent Nigerians-amongst whom are Alhaji Ahmad Lawal, CEO of Lahmad Concepts, and Saheed Ibile, CEO of Harmony Holdings Ltd, Alh.
Fatai Lajero on behalf of Olufimo Royal Parliament, and Alh. Waheed Ogunsesan, National President Olufimo Fans Club.- and moved by Portable’s plight, following his inability to meet his bail conditions, Osupa gave a personal directive for the immediate withdrawal of the case.”
According to the statement, as part of the withdrawal agreement, Portable is expected to meet certain conditions.
They go, “Retract his statement implying Saheed Osupa should be held responsible if anything happens to him. Confess to the falsehood of the public claim of his lawyer, Chief Bar. Isaac Adebayo, about holding Saheed Osupa’s leg begging for forgiveness, because contrary to this claim, Osupa did not even set his eyes on Portable.”
“Sign an undertaking to desist from cyberbullying, defamation, and character assassination henceforth. If these conditions are not met, the case may be reinstated.”
