Saheed Osupa Intervenes to Prevent Portable’s Re-Arrest Over Alleged N6.3M Fraud

Veteran Fuji artist, Saheed Osupa, has stepped in to halt the re-arrest of controversial singer Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, following a fresh petition alleging fraud.

The intervention came after the Managing Director of Starwood Hotels, Ilorin, Mr. Yemi George, prepared to initiate legal action against Portable for allegedly collecting N6.3 million for a performance he failed to deliver.

George revealed on Tuesday that he had secured necessary documents to pursue the singer’s arrest but was persuaded by Osupa to stand down in favor of an out-of-court resolution.

“My company, Starwood Hotels O2 Arena, collaborated with TAMPAN to organize a show featuring Portable. He took the money but never performed,” George said.

According to a petition obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Portable entered into an agreement on July 22, 2024, to perform at the ‘Kwara TAMPAN Fiesta’ scheduled for September 29. Despite arriving over 16 hours late, he allegedly sneaked out of his hotel without honoring the deal.

The petition, jointly signed by Chief Olu Amusan, Governor of TAMPAN, and Ayodele Demokun for Starwood Hotels, accuses Portable of fraud and obtaining money under false pretenses. The complainants demand a thorough investigation and recovery of the N6.3 million paid to the artiste.

This latest controversy follows Portable’s earlier arrest on Sunday after Fuji icon Osupa filed a separate petition, accusing the singer of criminal defamation, incitement, threats to life, and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.

While the initial case appears to be on the path to amicable resolution, the latest petition adds a new layer of legal scrutiny around the embattled singer’s activities.