Popular Nigerian street-hop artist, Habeeb Okikiola, widely known as Portable, has been arrested by the Kwara State Police Command following a petition filed by veteran Fuji musician, Okunola Saheed, popularly known as Saheed Osupa.
According to a statement released by the command’s spokesperson, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, the petition includes allegations of criminal defamation, threat to life, incitement, character assassination, conduct likely to cause a breach of peace, and the use of abusive and insulting words.
Acting on a valid arrest warrant obtained from a Magistrate Court in Ilorin, police operatives apprehended Portable in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Sunday, April 13, 2025, at approximately 7:25 PM. He was subsequently transported to Ilorin for further investigation.
Upon arrival, Portable’s statement was recorded in the presence of legal representatives from both parties. The police have indicated that he remains in custody and will be charged to court promptly.
This incident adds to a series of legal challenges faced by Portable in recent years. In May 2024, he was arrested by the Lagos State Police Command over allegations of failing to pay the balance of a ₦27 million G-Wagon vehicle he purchased from a car dealer. Reports indicated that he paid ₦13 million upfront and allegedly refused to pay the remaining ₦14 million, claiming the vehicle was faulty.
In March 2023, Portable was involved in another confrontation with the police in Ogun State. Officers attempted to arrest him following a petition alleging that he stormed a fellow singer’s studio, assaulted him, and locked the studio. Despite multiple invitations for questioning, Portable reportedly failed to honor them, leading to the attempted arrest.
Portable’s recent arrest has sparked discussions about the conduct of law enforcement agencies in handling civil disputes. Human rights activist Deji Adeyanju criticized the police’s use of force in civil matters, stating that security agencies should focus on their constitutional duties and avoid involvement in contractual disputes.
