*Again, Apologises To Osupa
*Fuji Maestro Intervenes To Avoid His Re-arrest Over N6m Deal
CONTROVERSIAL Nigerian musician, Abeeb Okikiola, popularly known by his stage name, Portable, has been released from prison.
It was gathered that he was released from the Oke-Kura Custodial Centre in Ilorin about 3:30 pm on Tuesday, April 15, after a variation of his bail conditions by the authorities.
Two of his wives were reported to have been with him at the time of his release by the prison officers.
Shortly after regaining his freedom, Portable, once again, publicly tendered an apology Osupa, in fulfilment of three conditions given by the Fuji maestro, including that he retracts his defamatory statements, admits they were false and signs a formal undertaking.
As a result, the Zah Zau croner took to Instagram to share a video of his newly shaved head and offered an apology to Osupa, saying: “God bless you, sir. I am sorry, Bami,” in a show of appreciation and remorse.
Portable’s release following the intervention of politician and human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, in the case between him and Fuji maestro, Saheed Akorede, also known as Osupa.
Sowore’s mediation led to the withdrawal of cybercrime charges against Portable, who had been detained in Ilorin over a petition filed by Osupa.
Sowore, while criticising the Police for criminalising the civil dispute, posted on his X handle: “Portable is now free from prison custody.
“Today, I had an extended discussion with King Saheed Osupa Akorede, highlighting that the Nigeria Police Force has no right to criminalise civil disputes.
“He explained that his use of the Police was intended to show his non-involvement in any actions that could harm Portable, but acknowledged that his actions might be seen as using the Police for repression.”
Recall that Portable was earlier arrested and remanded in a correctional facility in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, due to failure to meet his bail conditions after being charged based on Osupa’s petition.
However, after Sowore’s intervention, Osupa declared that he had withdrawn all charges against Portable.
According to Sowore: “As a result, he declared that he had dropped the charges against Portable.
“Our position remains unchanged: The Police should refrain from using cybercrime charges against anyone in the future.”
The Kwara State Police Command had arrested Portable over allegations of criminal defamation, a threat to life, incitement and character assassination against Osupa.
The Command’s spokesperson, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, in a statement issued on Sunday, April 13, explained that the arrest followed a formal petition filed by Osupa, alleging that Portable engaged in conduct likely to cause a breach of peace, including the use of abusive and insulting language directed at him.
“The petition borders on serious allegations, which include criminal defamation, threat to life, incitement, character assassination, and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.
“In view of the weight of these allegations and the supporting evidence presented, the Command secured a valid arrest warrant from a Magistrate Court sitting in Ilorin,” he stated.
Police operatives from the Command travelled to Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Saturday, April 12, where Portable was apprehended about 7:25 p.m. and was immediately transported to Ilorin for further investigation.
This followed several weeks of tension between the two musicians, including on social media.
In a related development, Osupa, on Tuesday intervened to forestall the re-arrest of Portable following another petition against him.
The Managing Director of Starwood Hotels in Ilorin, Yemi George, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that Osupa prevailed on him not to re-arrest Portable after he collected N6.3million for a show anf failed to perform.
“I have obtained every necessary document to re-arrest him today (Tuesday) in order to refund my money, but out of respect for the legendary Fuji musician (Osupa), he prevailed on me not to.
“My company, Starwood Hotels O2 Arena, in collaboration with the leadership of the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria, put an event together for Portable to perform, but he never did.”
In a document titled, ‘Petition for fraudulent and obtaining by false pretense the sum of N6.3m,’ the petitioners said they entered agreement with Portable on July 22, last year, which he never honoured, after being paid N6.3million to perform at the ‘Kwara Tampan Fiesta’ on September 29, last year, as he failed to appear on stage at the agreed time.
Despite arriving over 16 hours late, Portable allegedly sneaked out of his hotel lodge without fulfilling his promise to perform, actions the petitioners claimed caused them significant financial loss and distress.
In the petion signed by Olu Amusan, Governor, TAMPAN and Ayodele Demokun, on behalf of Starwood Hotels 02 Arena, the petitioners are seeking a thorough investigation, prosecution and restitution of the N6,300,000 allegedly obtained by Portable through fraudulent means.
