Controversy as singer Portable performs at NBA concert

The performance of singer Portable at the ‘Unbarred’ concert, organised by the Nigerian Bar Association, has caused a stir on social media.

The programme was held on Thursday at the Velodrome of the MKO Abiola Stadium.

According to the event’s poster, the host was Timi Agbaje. DJ Skillz and Veentage Band were billed to man the music policy and it promised a surprise act.

Portable, however, turned out to be guest performer during the event.

Some netizens took to X (formerly Twitter) to express their thoughts on the performance of the controversial artiste at the NBA concert.

An X user, bearded_lawyah said, “I just want to see the genius at the Planning Committee meeting that thought it’d be a good idea to bring Portable to #Unbarred because if they aren’t high on Odogwu Bitters then they must be charge and bail lawyers because this thing no dey make sense no matter how you look am!”

Another user, marcel_great said, “As #NigBarAssoc has decided to embarrass the bar with their choice of artiste for the unbarred concert, let it be known that we will visit the issue during the next year’s election. What business does NBA have with Portable? #afamosigwe we will remind you.”

However, Metro Lawyer reports that though some lawyers walked out of the event on seeing Portable, others stayed behind to watch the singer perform.

Reacting to a purported video showing the alleged walkout by lawyers, @ndm01 said on Instagram, “I was here yesterday. This wasn’t about Portable. It was a breakout session on the ‘Rule of Law and the Military’… The Army General that anchored the Session denied ‘ENDSARS’ massacre and it was at that point that Lawyers in attendance staged this walkout.”

The Unbarred Concert is a live entertainment session organised for lawyers as part of the annual NBA conference.

It is the grand conference closing party and is held a day before the association’s annual general meeting.

2baba, Wande Coal, Teni, Bez, Brymo, Nini, Falz, Olamide and Ruger had performed at previous editions.