- Safiu Kehinde
Nigerian Fuji legend, Okunola Saheed, popularly known as Saheed Osupa, has dropped his legal case filed against singer, Habeeb Okikiola popularly known as ‘Portable’, over alleged defamation and threat to life.
NPO Reported that Osupa had petitioned Kwara State Police Command, leading to Portable’s arrest and arraignment.
The singer was granted N1 million bail by the Upper Area Court sitting in Kwara state on Monday.
However, Portable failure to meet the bail conditions led to his remand in Ilorin prison.
Osupa, in a statement issued by his management team on Tuesday, would eventually drop the charges against Portable.
The fuji icon maintained that the decision was borne out of compassion and the intervention and pleas from well-meaning Nigerians, following the Zazoo crooner’s inability to meet bail conditions.
However, Osupa gave the singer conditions to withdrawal.
The fuji legend charged Portable to retract his statement implying he should be held responsible if anything happens to him.
He also charged him to confess to the falsehood of the public claim of his lawyer, Chief Bar. Isaac Adebayo, about holding Saheed Osupa’s leg begging for forgiveness which, according to the management was not true.
The statement reads,”The management of King (Dr.) Saheed Osupa wishes to inform the general public that the legal action previously instituted against Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has been formally withdrawn on the instruction of Osupa himself.
“It is essential to clarify that the legal proceedings were initially initiated by Osupa’s management team in response to what was considered a grave violation of intellectual property rights and an unacceptable pattern of defamation and public misconduct. Hence, the intention was not personal, but to set a precedent that would discourage unruly behavior and promote responsibility, especially among younger artists.
“However, following heartfelt pleas from several prominent Nigerians-amongst whom are Alhaji Ahmad Lawal, CEO of Lahmad Concepts, and Saheed Ibile, CEO of Harmony Holdings Ltd, Alh. Fatai Lajero on behalf of Olufimo Royal Parliament, and Alh. Waheed Ogunsesan, National President Olufimo Fans Club. — and moved by Portable’s plight, following his inability to meet his bail conditions, Osupa gave a personal directive for the immediate withdrawal of the case.
“Please note that this decision is driven by compassion and the hope that this moment will serve as a turning point in Portable’s life and career, as Osupa believes that while accountability is essential, mercy, too, is a pillar of leadership. He hopes that Portable will seize this opportunity for reflection, growth, and transformation.
“As a condition of this withdrawal, Portable is expected to: retract his statement implying Saheed Osupa should be held responsible if anything happens to him; confess to the falsehood of the public claim of his lawyer, Chief Bar. Isaac Adebayo, about holding Saheed Osupa’s leg begging for forgiveness, because contrary to this claim, Osupa did not even set his eyes on Portable; sign an undertaking to desist from cyberbullying, defamation, and character assassination henceforth. If these conditions are not met, the case may be reinstated,” it said.