Fuji star Osupa has officially withdrawn his legal case against controversial street-hop singer Portable after intervention from industry stakeholders.
The decision followed interventions from major stakeholders in the music industry and respected figures in society. Osupa’s lawyer, Ahmed Opalekunde, confirmed to The PUNCH on Tuesday that a formal notice to withdraw the charges had been submitted to Upper Area Court 1 of the High Court in Ilorin, Kwara State.
Police arrest and court appearance
On Monday, the Kwara State Police Command arraigned Portable in court after Osupa filed a detailed petition. In the complaint, Osupa accused Portable of several offences, including:
- Criminal defamation
- Criminal intimidation
- Cyberstalking
- Inciting public disturbance
These alleged offences were in violation of the Penal Code, the Cybercrimes Act of 2015, and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law of 2020.
After his appearance in court, Portable was granted bail. Chief Magistrate Sunday Adeniyi set bail at ₦1 million with two sureties—one of whom must be a chairman from the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), and the other a property owner within Ilorin’s Government Reserved Area (GRA).
Allegations rooted in Instagram video
The controversy began after a live video Portable posted on Instagram on March 19, 2025. In the clip, Portable allegedly made a series of insulting remarks directed at Osupa.
He reportedly said:
“This man dey try to bring down my shine! He be like person wey dey chop snail with shell—him no get sense. Osupa na tortoise. When Apple Music and Spotify wan drop money for me, na him remove my song from platform make I no see money.”
Osupa described these statements as defamatory, harmful, and inciting. He claimed that the public nature of the video caused serious damage to his reputation and could mislead fans and business associates.
False claims about music removal
One major point in Osupa’s petition was the claim that Portable accused him of removing his songs from platforms like Apple Music and Spotify. According to Osupa, this accusation was false and designed to harm his reputation and business interests.
He stated that such claims not only hurt his image but also affected potential earnings from collaborations and music streaming.
Withdrawal for peaceful resolution
Despite the seriousness of the charges, Osupa opted to settle the matter outside of court. His lawyer, in the withdrawal letter, said the move came after respected voices in the entertainment industry pleaded with Osupa to consider peace.
The letter read:
“It’s our client’s instruction that stakeholders in the music industry and other respected individuals in society have intervened and appealed for a peaceful resolution. As such, we hereby apply to withdraw the case against the defendant and terminate same accordingly.”
Warning to Portable
Even though Osupa dropped the case, he issued a stern warning to Portable through the same letter. He urged the court to caution the singer against repeating such behaviour.
“Further, sir, we want to pray the court to admonish and warn the defendant to desist from any further publications, utterances, or acts aiming at disparaging the person and businesses of the nominal complainant.”
A lesson for the music industry
This case sparked widespread discussion online and in the media. Many saw it as a reflection of ongoing tensions between musicians in Nigeria. But the peaceful resolution has been praised by observers, who hope it encourages more respectful conflict resolution in the industry.
For now, the feud appears to be over, but fans and fellow artists will be watching closely. The case serves as a reminder of how quickly words shared on social media can lead to real-world consequences and how important it is to settle disputes with maturity and responsibility.
Read Also: ‘I’ll handle you’ – Osupa tells Portable
