The controversial artist Habeeb Okikiola Badmus, better known by his stage name Portable, has denied VeryDarkMan’s accusations of stealing.
The conflict between the two reportedly started when VeryDarkMan pressed President Bola Tinubu to address the ongoing killings in Benue and the economic hardship facing the nation.
In response, the singer said in an Instagram video that VeryDarkMan should stop criticizing the President, claiming that VeryDarkMan began to enjoy a lavish lifestyle under Tinubu’s rule.
A video of Portable being assaulted for allegedly stealing a Keke in 2020, before he became well-known, was leaked by VeryDarkMan in response.
Using the chant “Ole!” (thief), VeryDarkMan made fun of Portable for stealing a tricycle in a diss track on Wednesday morning.
Portable responded to VeryDarkMan by accusing the social media critic of being “gay” and denying taking the tricycle.
Your mother, VeryDarkMan. You’re a poor individual. A shoemaker is your father. I’m like my dad. I’m not a criminal. “Don’t call me a thief,” he sang.
In the meantime, Portable has provided clarification on the incidents that resulted in him and his previous record company being accused of phone theft.
In a statement posted on Instagram on Monday, July 21, 2025, Portable reportedly revealed that the owner of Destiny Records had given him a phone when he was working there, but that he left the company because of a lack of support, which he received negative feedback about.
The proprietor of Destiny Records, Ija Omode, who is currently the Vice Chairman of the Union of Road Transport in Ogun State, gave Portable a phone while he was working there. Portable chose to depart as a result of the label’s lack of support. But there was antagonism to this.
Once he was gone, label people grabbed the phone, got past its password, and proceeded to publicly humiliate Portable by stripping him and falsely charging him of stealing. Naijakit later shared a video of this occurrence online.
According to him, some label employees took the phone away from him after he left, got past the password, and publicly humiliated him by stripping him and making up a theft accusation.
According to the “Zazu Zaeh” crooner, the people who were involved in the incident had spoken with him individually but had not publicly corrected the story.
Portable said the clarification was made to correct the record and shield up-and-coming artists from similar abuse, not to exact retribution, and that the old label’s actions were blatant instances of bullying and intimidation.
According to the statement, “This is to clarify a previous incident where Portable was falsely accused of phone theft.”
This blatant instance of bullying and intimidation by a record label is evident. Instead of seeking retribution, Portable is speaking out now to correct the record and shield up-and-coming musicians from the same kind of harassment.
“The purpose of this statement is to promote justice, transparency, and the truth.”
