Saheed Osupa withdraws defamation case against Portable

Fuji music star, Dr Saheed Osupa, has formally withdrawn the legal action he instituted against Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable.

According to a statement signed by Busari Basit Babatunde (Fountain), Media Aide to Osupa, “it is essential to clarify that Osupa’s management team initially initiated the legal proceedings 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 to discourage unruly behaviour 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 statement reads, the case may be reinstated.

The statement reads further; “Osupa remains committed to supporting a growing Nigerian music industry.”