Nigerian Singer Portable Arrested Over N6.3 Million No-Show At Ilorin Concert

Ilorin, Kwara State – Popular Nigerian singer, Habeeb Okikiola Badmus, widely known by his stage name Portable, has been arrested by the Nigerian Police over his alleged failure to perform at a paid event after collecting a sum of N6.3 million.

Afrika Eyes gathered that Portable received the payment to headline the Kwara Tampan Fiesta 1.0, a concert held at Starwood O2 Arena, Ilorin, on September 29, 2024, but failed to show up on the event day despite multiple attempts by the organizers to reach him.

A media assistant to the Managing Director (MD) of Starwood O2 Arena, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the arrest on Monday and clarified the circumstances leading to the development.

“Yes, Portable has been arrested. The arrest followed a petition filed by Starwood O2 Arena over the issue of the N6.3 million. But to be honest, my boss, the MD, is not someone who likes publicity at all. That’s why he’s avoiding interviews or being seen around the case,” the media aide said.

According to the assistant, the MD has been silent all along but finally moved to recover the money after efforts to settle the matter privately failed.

“We’ve been on this case since last year. We kept asking Portable to refund the money. Instead, he kept proposing another show, but my boss isn’t interested anymore. He believes Portable is not a good ambassador and shouldn’t be trusted again,” the aide added.

The initial agreement was reportedly for N6 million, but on the day of the show, Portable allegedly demanded an additional N500,000 for transportation. The organizers reportedly sent N300,000, bringing the total to N6.3 million.

“The truth is, Portable charged N6 million initially. On the event day, he asked for N500,000 more for transport, and my boss transferred N300,000 to him immediately. That’s how we arrived at N6.3 million,” the spokesperson explained.

“My boss keeps referring to it as ‘My N6 million’ because he just wants that refunded. If Portable can return the N6 million, we’re willing to forfeit the extra N300,000.”

Despite his arrest, the aide emphasized that the police action was not meant to humiliate the artist but to ensure repayment.

“It’s not even really an arrest; it’s more like a peaceful invite by the Nigerian Police Force. All we want is for Portable to refund the money, and the matter is closed.”

She also confirmed that the MD is currently out of the country.

“He’s in Germany right now. Even if he were in Nigeria, I’m sure he wouldn’t grant any interviews. He’s just not the public type.”

Afrika Eyes had reported that the Nigerian Police have arrested controversial music artiste, Habeeb Okikiola Badmus, widely known as Portable, over serious allegations of criminal defamation, threat to life, incitement, and character assassination against Yoruba Fuji musician, Mr. Okunola Saheed, popularly known as Osupa.

The arrest followed a petition filed by Osupa with the Kwara State Police Command, accusing Portable of using abusive and defamatory language capable of inciting violence and damaging his reputation.

According to a statement released on Sunday evening by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Kwara Command, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, the Command acted in accordance with the law after receiving credible evidence to support the petition.

“The petition borders on serious allegations which include criminal defamation, threat to life, incitement, character assassination, conduct likely to cause a breach of peace, and the use of abusive and insulting words,” the statement said.

With the approval of a valid arrest warrant secured from a Magistrate Court sitting in Ilorin, officers of the Kwara State Police Command proceeded to Abeokuta, Ogun State, where Portable was arrested on Saturday, April 13, 2025, at approximately 7:25 PM.

“He was immediately brought to Ilorin for further investigations. Upon his arrival, the suspect’s statement was taken in the presence of legal representatives from both parties,” the police spokesperson added.

The police confirmed that Portable remains in custody and would be charged to court without delay.

“The Kwara State Police Command remains committed to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that justice is served in a fair and transparent manner. We urge members of the public to remain calm and refrain from spreading unverified information,” the statement added.