Nigerian Fuji legend, Saheed Akorede, popularly known as Saheed Osupa, on Tuesday intervened to prevent the re-arrest of controversial singer Habeeb Okikiola, widely known as Portable, following the emergence of a fresh petition against him.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Osupa decided to drop his initial case against Portable after appeals from prominent Nigerians urging an out-of-court settlement.
In a new twist, the Managing Director of Starwood Hotels, Ilorin, Mr. Yemi George, told NAN that Osupa persuaded him not to pursue the re-arrest of Portable, despite the artist allegedly failing to honor a paid performance.
�I had obtained all necessary documents to facilitate his re-arrest today (Tuesday) to recover my money. But out of respect for the legendary Fuji musician, Osupa, I agreed to hold off,� George said.
He explained that his company, Starwood Hotels O2 Arena, in partnership with the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN), had organized an event for which Portable was booked to perform�but the singer never showed up.
According to a document obtained by NAN, titled �Petition for Fraud and Obtaining by False Pretense the Sum of N6.3 Million,� the petitioners stated they entered into an agreement with Portable on July 22, 2024, which he allegedly failed to honor.
The document claims Portable was paid N6.3 million to perform at the Kwara TAMPAN Fiesta on September 29, 2024, but failed to appear on stage at the scheduled time.
Despite arriving over 16 hours late, he allegedly sneaked out of his hotel lodge without fulfilling his promise to perform.
The petitioners claimed that Portable�s actions caused significant financial loss and distress, and they are seeking a thorough investigation, prosecution, and restitution of the N6,300,000 allegedly obtained through fraudulent means.
The petition was signed by Chief Olu Amusan, Governor, TAMPAN and Ayodele Demokun on behalf of Starwood Hotels 02 Arena
NAN recalls that the Police Public Relations Officer of Kwara command, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, had in a statement on Sunday confirmed the arrest of Portable following a petition received from Osupa.
The petition borders on serious allegations which include criminal defamation, threat to life, incitement, character assassination, conduct likely to cause a breach of peace and the use of abusive and insulting words.
