Controversial singer, Habeeb Okikiola, aka Portable, has often been in the news, mostly for the wrong reasons due to his antics one and off the stage. Because of his controversial comments, he has been invited for questioning by the police on different occasions.

However, it doesn’t seem like the singer has any plan to shy away from controversies. One of his latest songs titled, ‘Kuku do Ritual’, has been widely criticised for its negative message of acquiring wealth by all means, including doing money rituals. Considering the rising cases of ritual killings and other forms of moral decadence in the country, stakeholders in the industry have stated that the singer should be called to order.

Condemning the song, the Muslim Rights Concern, called on security agencies to investigate the song and the singer.

A statement released by the organisation read in part, “Popular pop singer, Habeeb Okikiola, has released a new album (sic) under (sic) the title, ‘Kuku Do Ritual’, in which part of the lyrics say, ‘Kuku do ritual. If you do ritual, you go die. If you no do ritual, you go die. Kuku do ritual’.

READ ALSO: Fans Divided Over Portable’s On-stage Antics

“We find this song disgusting, detestable and egregious. It is a brazen assault on Nigerian and African values. Portable’s latest song has reduced human life to the level of ordinary ants that can be stamped out under human feet without qualms and without consequences.

“This song has the capacity to influence our young ones in a negative manner. It is also capable of destroying the future of the youth. Something must be done urgently.”

Meanwhile, an entertainment lawyer, Femi Njoku, noted that though artistes should be allowed to express their creativity however they see fit, if music is inimical to societal growth and advancement, it is only proper for it to be regulated. He told our correspondent, “I am a big believer in not limiting the creative license of anybody, as long as whatever they are doing is not illegal.

“However, if the music promote vices that are inimical to societal growth and advancement, it is only right for a body that is in charge, like the NBC, to regulate the contents that are played on our airwaves. We are at a time when there is a high rate of ritual killings and other crimes that are definitely aided by certain things such as the music people listen to.”

On his part, a music enthusiast, Emmanuel Daraloye, stated that artistes needed to be careful about the message they passed in their music, especially because afrobeats is now enjoying global attention.

READ ALSO: UPDATED: Reactions As Portable Arrives On Stage In Casket At Afrika Shrine [VIDEO]

He said, “As regards the negative message, I think Portable might just be speaking his truth, which is also the reality of many frustrated Nigerians. Art has never been created in a vacuum; it is always a reflection of the realities of the people. However, for the outside world, songs like this beam light on the situation of the country. A song like this could shape their view of the country, and they might become wary of Nigeria after listening to this song.”

However, the President of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria, Pretty Okafor, noted that though the singer was a member of the association, it had no power to sanction any musician over their songs.

Justice O. A. Oresanya of a Lagos State High Court has awarded N5m damages against a singer, Ikuforijimi Abdulrahman, aka Oxlade, over a leaked explicit sex tape with a woman on a social media app, Snapchat.

A sex tape of the singer went viral online on February 9, 2022, as the artiste later apologised to his fans.

While delivering judgement on Tuesday, January 24, 2023, the judge described the action of the singer in secretly recording the explicit sex and leaking the tape online as “despicable, horrendous, distasteful and classless.”

The claimant in the suit, Blessing, had on March 15, 2022, filed a suit before the court demanding N20m damages and a declaration that the respondent’s (Oxlade) act of recording their sexual acts without her knowledge and consent amounted to contravention of enabling laws and a gross violation of her fundamental rights to dignity, privacy and freedom from discrimination guaranteed under sections 34 and 37 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Articles 5 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights (Ratification and Enforcement), Act, Cap. A9, LFN, 2004.

When the matter came up, the judge was ready for judgement when counsel for the claimant, E. T. Idemudia and O. S. Mabekoje, with U. R. Michael for the respondent, announced their appearance and both parties agreed to opt for amicable resolution via a consent judgement.

However, Justice Oresanya lambasted the singer.

“The action and attitude of the respondent (Oxlade), who is said to be a celebrity, is despicable, horrendous, distasteful and classless. The respondent is admonished strongly to act with utmost circumspection in his relationship with fellow humans, especially the opposite sex. What goes around comes around. I need not say more,” the judge said.

Prior to that, Justice Oresanya faulted Oxlade for treating the judicial process with disrespect and accused his lawyer of aiding him to desecrate the temple of justice.

READ ALSO: Fulani Elite Wants To Eliminate Me, Gov Ortom Raises Alarm

The judge said, “The respondent failed to appear in this court and the only reason given for the respondent’s absence by his erstwhile counsel was the celebrity status of the respondent, which to my mind cannot be equated to that of many notable celebrity artistes in this country who have comported themselves well respectably both within and outside of this country.

“Counsel, as ministers in the temple of justice, should never encourage any party to a lawsuit or client in treating the temple of justice with disrespect and disdain no matter the status of the client in the society.”

The judge thereafter entered the terms of settlement dated January 11, 2023, as the judgment of the court.

“By the consent judgement, Oxlade is to pay damages to the tune of N5m to the claimant in two instalments of N2m and N3m respectively,” Oresanya added.
PUNCH