The management of Fuji musician Saheed Osupa has withdrawn the legal case against controversial singer Habeeb Portable Okikiola.
The ‘Zazoo Zeh’ hitmaker was arrested in Ilorin, Kwara state capital, on Saturday over allegations of criminal defamation, threat to life, incitement, and character assassination against Osupa.
His arrest followed a petition filed by Osupa, accusing him of using abusive and insulting language that could incite violence and damage his reputation.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the singer’s management disclosed that the lawsuit was dropped following the intervention of prominent Nigerians.
“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,” the statement reads in part.
According to the statement, as part of the withdrawal agreement, Portable is expected to meet certain conditions.
“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,” it reads.
“Sign an undertaking to desist from cyberbullying, defamation, and character assassination henceforth. If these conditions are not met, the case may be reinstated.”
Portable was granted bail in the sum of N1 million. On Monday, the court ruled that the singer must provide two sureties in like sum, one of which must be the chairman or secretary of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN).
The other must also possess landed property within a government reserved area, backed by a valid certificate of occupancy (C of O).
The singer was, however, remanded in the Oke Kura correctional centre in Ilorin due to his inability to meet the bail conditions.
The rift between the two artistes began last month when Portable’s song was removed from Apple Music and Spotify due to copyright infringement.
Portable had used a line synonymous with Osupa’s style, leading to Osupa’s team filing a complaint.
The controversial singer initially called out Osupa, using derogatory terms like “big for nothing,” which sparked backlash on social media.
However, Portable apologised to Osupa, blaming his temper for the outburst.
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