Renowned Nigerian Fuji musician Saheed Akorede, popularly known as Saheed Osupa, intervened on Tuesday to stop the re-arrest of controversial singer Habeeb Okikiola, also known as Portable, after a fresh complaint was filed against him.
According to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Osupa dropped his initial case against Portable after several influential Nigerians appealed for an out-of-court resolution.
In a new twist, Mr. Yemi George, Managing Director of Starwood Hotels in Ilorin, told NAN that he had planned to initiate legal action against Portable for failing to honor a performance agreement. However, Osupa personally appealed to him to let the matter rest.
“I was fully prepared to have him re-arrested today (Tuesday) to recover my funds,” George said. “But out of respect for Saheed Osupa, I decided to hold back.”
George explained that his hotel, Starwood Hotels O2 Arena, collaborated with the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN) to organize an event featuring Portable. Despite being paid N6.3 million, the artist failed to perform as agreed.
A document obtained by NAN, titled Petition for Fraudulent and Obtaining by False Pretence of the Sum of N6.3 Million, outlines the grievance. The agreement with Portable was reportedly made on July 22, 2024, with the performance scheduled for September 29, 2024, during the ‘Kwara TAMPAN Fiesta.’
Although he arrived more than 16 hours late, Portable allegedly left his hotel secretly without fulfilling the contract. The petitioners claim this breach led to substantial financial losses and emotional distress. They are calling for a full investigation, legal action, and recovery of the N6.3 million allegedly obtained under false pretenses.
The petition was signed by Chief Olu Amusan, TAMPAN Governor, and Ayodele Demokun on behalf of Starwood Hotels O2 Arena.
Earlier, the Kwara State Police Command had confirmed Portable’s arrest over a previous petition from Osupa. In a statement on Sunday, the command’s spokesperson, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said the complaint included allegations of criminal defamation, threats to life, incitement, character assassination, disruptive behavior, and the use of offensive language.
