A popular Nigerian singer, Habeeb Okikiola, known professionally as Portable, has been disqualified from the Headies Awards 2022 nominee for threatening to kill his fellow nominees.
SaharaReporters reliably established that Portable was nominated to compete in the ‘Rookie of the Year’ and ‘Best Street-Hop Artiste’ categories when The Headies announced the nominees for the 2022 edition on Tuesday.
Other nominees in the ‘Rookie of the Year’ category are Av, Fave, Magixx and Ugocci.
For the second category, he will compete against Bella Shmurda, Mohbad, Naira Marley and Goya Menor, among others.
Portable, the ‘Zazuu’ crooner, took to his Instagram page to threaten whoever wins the 2022 Headies Award if he doesn’t win it.
Following the threat, the prize organizers issued a statement disqualifying him from context.
A statement from the organizers said: “We regret to announce that following the numerous indictments of Mr. Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as ‘portable’, and the incessant negative attention Mr. Okikiola has received from the police of Nigeria and the general public in recent times, the organizers of the Headies have decided to disqualify Mr Okikiola from being nominated for the upcoming 15th Headies Awards.
The decision to let Mr. Okikiola’s disqualification is accentuated by a series of crimes committed by Mr. Okikiola through his social media platforms. On May 25, 2022, he threatened to kill, harm, or harm the other nominees in the same categories of awards he was nominated for if he doesn’t come out exactly as the winner;
“Those are my prices. Anyone who wins, I will ask to kill them. I will ask them to kill the person. If the organizers give my prize to someone else, they will die” – Habeeb Okikiola.”
Organizers also noted that Portable recently claimed to be the mastermind behind two armed robbery groups in Lagos.
Speaking in Yoruba, the Zazu crooner boasted in a viral video that he was not afraid of anyone.
In the video SaharaReporters saw, Portable had said, “Open your ears and listen.
“Have you heard of Ajah Boys, One Million Boys? I founded them. Go and ask Sammy Larry.”
According to him, the socialites Samlarry Eletu and Abu Abel used to know him.
Ajah Boys and One Million Boys are gangs known for their violent activities and terrorizing residents of Lagos with dangerous weapons.
The statement added: “On July 18, 2022, Mr. Okikiola posted a video on his social platform stating that he is the founder of the infamous cult group ‘One Million Boys’. The said group gained fame for maiming and robbing innocent Nigerians over the years.
“In his words he said; ‘Have you heard of Ajah boys, One Million Boys? I founded them.’
In addition, on June 17, 2022, Mr. Habeeb Okikiola recorded himself ordering his group of friends to attack and inflict bodily harm on his accused friend, DJ Chicken.
“In his words he said: ‘E na eleyi paa jo!’ (beat him mercilessly!) The music industry demands all-round excellence. It is extremely important that young artists as potential role models have professional responsibility, appropriate decorum and respect for others.
“As the subject of an investigation into criminal activity, Mr. Habeeb Okikiola is hereby disqualified from both categories of awards at the upcoming 15th Annual Headies Awards to be held later this year, namely: Best Street Artist and Rookie of the Year.
“The public is hereby assured of our commitment to promote talents and individuals of exemplary character in the interest of our society.”
Portable recently reported to Ogun State Police Command Headquarters, Eleweran, Abeokuta, after being summoned to appear in relation to a video in which he ordered his aides to assault a young man identified as DJ Chicken.
Police had arrested several members of the two terrorist gangs at different times, while some were wanted.
