Kwara Police Arrest Musician Portable For Alleged Criminal Defamation, Threats To Fuji Star, Saheed Osupa

The arrest came after a formal petition filed by Mr. Saheed Osupa, who claimed that Portable had engaged in behavior likely to cause a breach of peace, including using derogatory and abusive language against him, according to a statement released on Sunday by SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, the Police Public Relations Officer.

Contentious The Kwara State Police Command has detained Nigerian artist Habeeb Okikiola Badmus, better known by his stage name Portable, on charges of criminal defamation, threat to life, incitement, and character assassination against Yoruba Fuji musician Mr. Okunola Saheed, also known as "Osupa."

SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, the Police Public Relations Officer, said in a statement released on Sunday that the arrest came after a formal petition submitted by Mr. Saheed Osupa said that Portable used derogatory and abusive language toward him, among other actions that may have resulted in a breach of peace.

"Criminal defamation, threat to life, incitement, character assassination, and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace are among the serious allegations that the petition borders on," the statement said.

"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."

Police say that on Saturday, April 13, Kwara State Command agents went to Abeokuta, Ogun State, where Portable was captured at approximately 7:25 p.m. He was taken right away to Ilorin for additional examination.

"When the suspect arrived, his statement was obtained in front of both sides' attorneys. He is being held at the moment, and plans are on to charge him in court right away," SP Ejire-Adeyemi affirmed.

The arrest comes after weeks of conflict between the two performers, which reportedly included defamatory remarks and threatening language from Portable directed at Osupa on social media.

"Osupa had no choice but to involve law enforcement after repeated verbal attacks escalated into threats," according to a source familiar with the situation. This is a test of how artists should be held responsible for their public behavior because nobody is above the law.

The Kwara State Police Command responded to the arrest by asking the public to refrain from conjecture and to give due process time to complete its work.

"We are still dedicated to protecting the rule of law and making sure that justice is administered in an impartial and open way. We ask the people to maintain composure and not disseminate unconfirmed information. As the case develops, more information will be shared," she continued.