Highly talented but prone to trouble (wahala), which has overshadowed his bubbling music career was how a Nigerian described singer Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable.
For many, his career has also been helped with a dose of luck as despite not having many hits to his credit except Zazoo-zeh, he is one of the most popular hip-hop artists in the country today.
From the issue of the late Alaafin of Oyo’s wife, Dammy, who he dated before they later separated to his “beef” with Davido and other A-list artists in the country, Portable has always been in the news since gaining limelight a few years ago.
His many appearances in courts
In 2023, the Ogun state- based sensation was reportedly sent to prison after he was arraigned on a five-count charge bordering on assault and stealing following a petition by one Osimusi Emmanuel for failure to meet his bail condition.
According to one of the charges, Portable and others at large at Odogwu Bar, Oke-Osa, Ilogbo, Ifo, wilfully caused/inflicted physical attack and injured one Inspector Hammed Moshood and thereafter resisted arrest despite being served an invitation letter by the police.
In February this year, the controversial artist found himself in court again when he was accused of assaulting three town planning officials, Abidemi Onabanjo, Ramon Lateef and AkinpelumiOyero at his Odogwu Bar. Portable and others of his boys were said to be armed with dangerous weapons like cutlass and guns, with which they inflicted injuries on the victims.
Portable thereafter went into hiding, leading to the police declaring him wanted before he surrendered himself.
He was arraigned before a magistrate court in Abeokuta, for alleged assault on the government officials and was granted bail.
His counsel, Oluwatoyin Ayodele, assured the court that the suspect “is now remorseful and has learnt his lessons”.
Magistrate O.L Oke who granted him N2m bail with one surety in the like sum, barred him from fomenting troubles and making comments on social media regarding the case.
The Magistrate held that if the suspect violates the conditions, his bail would be withdrawn.
But while the case is still on, Portable has found himself in prison again following his trouble with fellow entertainer and famous Fuji super star, Okunola Saheed, fondly called Osupa over copyright issues.
He was arrested and arraigned for alleged criminal defamation, criminal intimidation, inciting public disturbance and cyber stalking by the Kwara State police command after Osupa petitioned the CP.
Osupa accused Portable of “making live stream video to abuse him, adding that the defendant (Portable) dented his personality for claiming that he removed his music from Apple music and Spotify that would have been fetching him income.”
While pleading not guilty to the accusation, he was sent to prison after failing to meet the “stringent” bail condition handed to him by Magistrate Sunday Adeniyi which included two sureties with C of O in GRA, Ilorin and a chairman of PMAN. The case was adjourned to 30th of April, 2025.
There was however a new twist to the incident after Osupa suddenly announced withdrawal of the case on Tuesday in a statement by his management.
“Alhaji (Dr.) Saheed Osupa has decided to drop all charges against Habeeb Okikiola a.k.a. Portable in the interest of peace and unity in the Nigerian entertainment industry. The decision followed a series of private meetings and interventions by respected industry figures,” the statement read.
Sources close to the situation revealed that Portable reached out to Osupa through intermediaries and expressed regret over his comments, pleading for forgiveness.(Daily trust)
