Popular Nigerian singer Habeeb Okikiola, widely known as Portable, has taken a drastic step to protect his music and brand by placing a cash bounty on a persistent impersonator. The 'Zazuu' crooner announced a financial reward for anyone who can arrest a lookalike who has been performing his songs at events without authorization.
The ₦500,000 Bounty Announcement
In a video shared on his official Instagram page on December 22, 2025, Portable made a public appeal for help. He directly addressed the police, soldiers, and the general public, stating his terms clearly. The singer declared a reward of ₦500,000 for anyone who successfully apprehends the impersonator caught performing his copyrighted music on stage.
"Good morning everyone, police and soldier. If you see my lookalike performing my song on stage, arrest him and bring him to me," Portable stated in the now-viral clip. He promised to personally ensure the cash reward is paid to whoever makes the arrest.
Drawing a Line: Imitation vs. Infringement
Portable was careful to distinguish between flattering imitation and outright fraud. He clarified that he has no issue with fans or impersonators copying his unique hairstyle, fashion sense, or overall appearance. However, he drew a firm line at the unauthorized commercial use of his intellectual property.
The singer emphasized that his songs, which are officially released on major streaming platforms like Apple Music, are his sole property. He argued that the lookalike is not promoting original work but is instead exploiting Portable's creative output for personal financial gain, which he categorizes as fraud.
A Recurring Problem for the Singer
This is not the first time Portable has had to confront this particular impersonator. In September 2025, the singer called out the same lookalike after videos surfaced of the individual performing his songs at booked events.
During the earlier incident, Portable claimed the impersonator was undermining his market value by booking shows for as little as ₦250,000, a stark contrast to Portable's own reported performance fee, which exceeds ₦10 million. At that time, his reaction was more physical, urging fans to "beat him up" for misleading audiences and cutting into his earnings.
The latest bounty offer signifies an escalation to a more formal, albeit crowd-sourced, legal approach, highlighting the singer's seriousness in protecting his brand identity and revenue streams from unauthorized exploitation.
