Controversial musician, Mr. Habeeb Okokiola, widely known as “Portable” has been disqualified from this year’s 15th Headies Musical Awards, according to a statement released on Tuesday by Smooth Promotions Limited, organizers of the prestigious awards.
The organizers said Portable was disqualified because he is the primary subject of an investigation relating to criminal activities.
The statement reads, “We regret to announce that following numerous indicting statements made by Mr. Habeeb Okikiola popularly knowns as “Portable”, and the incessant negative attention that Mr Okikiola has garnered from the Nigeria Police and the general public in recent times, the organizers of the Headies have resolved to disqualify Mr Okikiola as a nominee at the forthcoming 15th Headies Awards.”
“The decision to disqualify him is accentuated by series of misdemeanours by Mr Okikiola via his social media platforms. On the 25th of May 2022, he threatened to kill, harm or cause harm to the other nominees in the same categories of awards he was nominated for, if he does not emerge the winner, precisely.
“Smooth Promotions Limited, the organisers of the Headies Awards is a law abiding and responsible organization that abhors any form of violence, unlawful or activities ravaging our society.
“We shall not condone reckless and uncouth statements from artists and hereby disassociate ourselves from any individual linked to such assembly or activities including Mr. Okikiola’s prospects as long as these acts are sufficiently linked to him as described.
“The music industry demands all-round excellence. It is extremely important for young artists being potential role models to exude professional responsibility, proper decorum and have respect for others.
“Being subject of an investigation relating to criminal activities, Mr. Habeeb Okikiola is hereby disqualified from both categories of awards Annual Headies Awards scheduled to hold later this year namely: Best Street Artist and Rookie of the Year.”
Recall that Portable was nominated for the ‘Best Street Artist’ and ‘Rookie of the Year’ categories earlier in May this year.
In the ‘Rookie of the Year’ category, he was expected to compete with Av, Fave, Magixx, and Ugoccie.
For the second category, he was pitted against Bella Shmurda, Mohbad, Naira Marley, and Goya Menor among others.
Shortly after the nominations were unveiled, Portable claimed his co-nominees at The Headies are no match for him.
He also threatened to kill anyone who wins any of the categories in his place.
In its reaction, organisers of the awards threatened to disqualify him if he failed to retract his statement and issue an apology on his social media pages.
Portable had initially taunted the award organisers, saying they “nominated a mad man musician”.
The singer thereafter apologised for his “unguarded utterance” which he said was harmless.
The organisers also cited a claim he made that he’s the founder of ‘One million Boys’, a suspected cult group in Lagos, as another ground for his disqualification.
