Veteran Fuji icon, King (Dr.) Saheed Osupa, has ordered the withdrawal of a defamation case earlier filed against controversial musician, Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable.
Portable was arrested on Sunday in Ota, Ogun State and taken to Ilorin, Kwara State by the police following a petition by Osupa. He was arraigned in court on Tuesday over charges bordering on defamation and libel and was remanded due to his inability to meet bail conditions.
However, in a statement signed by Osupa’s manager, Busari Basit Babatunde (a.k.a Fountain), the Fuji star directed his legal team to drop the case after appeals from prominent Nigerians.
Those who intervened include Alhaji Ahmad Lawal, CEO of Lahmad Concepts; Saheed Ibile, CEO of Harmony Holdings Ltd; Alhaji Fatai Lajero of Olufimo Royal Parliament; and Alhaji Waheed Ogunsesan, National President of the Olufimo Fans Club.
The statement explained that while the case was rooted in “a serious breach of intellectual property and a worrying trend of public misconduct,” Osupa decided to withdraw the charges out of compassion.
“It was never personal,” the statement read. “The aim was to uphold professionalism and discourage reckless behavior in the industry.”
Nonetheless, the withdrawal is conditional. Portable is expected to:
- Publicly retract his statement suggesting Osupa should be held responsible if anything happens to him.
- Disown the claim made by his lawyer, Chief Barrister Isaac Adebayo, alleging that he begged Osupa for forgiveness by holding his legs—an encounter Osupa’s team insists never happened.
- Sign a formal undertaking to cease all acts of cyberbullying, defamation, and character assassination going forward.
Osupa’s management warned that failure to meet these conditions could lead to the reinstatement of the case.
The Fuji legend emphasized that while accountability is important, mercy also plays a vital role in leadership. He expressed hope that Portable would reflect on his actions and make meaningful changes in his personal and professional conduct.
“We appreciate the support of fans, Fuji lovers, and concerned Nigerians who understood that our legal action was about protecting our integrity,” the statement added.
