Crime
Sean “Diddy” Combs Hit With Fresh Allegations As Lawyers Seek Gag Order
Sean “Diddy” Combs is facing a fresh wave of legal challenges, as seven new sexual abuse lawsuits have been filed against him, further complicating his already substantial legal troubles.
The civil lawsuits, made public on Sunday and Monday, were filed by four men and three women, accusing the music mogul of sexual misconduct in incidents that occurred in New York, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas.
While some allegations date back to 2000, the majority center around incidents in 2022, according to the plaintiffs’ lawyer, Tony Buzbee, who announced the new claims on Facebook.
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Several lawsuits allege that unidentified celebrities also participated in the assaults on Combs’ accusers.
Combs, 54, now faces at least two dozen civil lawsuits accusing him of sexual misconduct, with 13 of those cases being handled by Buzbee’s firm.
However, Combs has denied all wrongdoing.
The founder of Bad Boy Records is also facing a criminal trial, having pleaded not guilty to charges of sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy, and transportation for prostitution.
He has been in detention for five weeks at a Brooklyn jail, which is notorious for its poor conditions, after being denied bail twice.
His legal team is appealing the decision.
The latest lawsuits add to a growing list of accusations against Combs, with prosecutors alleging that he coerced victims into participating in sex acts, bribed and intimidated them to keep quiet, and employed his staff to conceal the misconduct.
The seven plaintiffs in the new cases have used the pseudonyms John Doe or Jane Doe, and five of the lawsuits were filed in federal court, while two were filed in New York state court, all in Manhattan.
One of the more shocking allegations comes from a plaintiff who says she was 13 years old when Combs allegedly drugged and assaulted her at an afterparty for the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards in New York.
The lawsuit claims that Combs and an unidentified male celebrity raped her while a female celebrity watched, after Combs reportedly declared, “You are ready to party.”
Another accuser, a 17-year-old aspiring artist, alleges that Combs assaulted him at a 2022 party in a Manhattan hotel penthouse.
According to the lawsuit, Combs promised the young man he could “make him a star” before drugging him, grabbing his genitals, and assaulting him in a room where others were engaged in group sex.
In response to these lawsuits, Combs’ legal team pointed to an earlier statement addressing Buzbee’s previous claims.
“Mr. Combs and his legal team have full confidence in the facts, their legal defenses, and the integrity of the judicial process,” the lawyers stated.
“In court, the truth will prevail: Mr. Combs has never sexually assaulted anyone—adult or minor, man or woman.”
Buzbee’s firm, which claims to represent over 150 of Combs’ accusers, is moving ahead with the cases.
Combs’ legal team, led by attorney Marc Agnifilo, has requested a gag order to prevent potential government witnesses and their lawyers from making public statements that could interfere with the fairness of Combs’ trial.
Agnifilo has objected to what he describes as efforts to “assassinate Mr. Combs’ character in the press,” including false allegations of child sexual abuse.
Agnifilo has also asked the judge to determine whether prosecutors authorized the public statements from the accusers and their lawyers and requested that these statements be removed from online platforms.
U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian, who is overseeing the criminal case, has ordered prosecutors to respond to the gag order request by October 30.
The five new federal civil lawsuits have been assigned to different judges, two of whom have asked the plaintiffs to justify why they should remain anonymous.
As Combs prepares for his criminal trial, scheduled for May 5, 2025, the accumulation of civil and criminal cases continues to cast a long shadow over his career and reputation.
The trial, which involves three felony charges, adds significant weight to the growing list of allegations against the music mogul, who once stood as an iconic figure in the entertainment industry.
Crime
Policeman Feared Dead As Gunmen Attack Checkpoint In Abia
A police officer is reportedly dead and another injured following an attack by unknown gunmen on a police checkpoint in the Ohafia area of Abia State.
The incident, which occurred on Wednesday at Ugwu Abba Asaga, has sparked concerns over the rising wave of insecurity in the region.
The Abia State Police Command has yet to release an official statement regarding the attack. However, when contacted, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Maureen Chinaka, assured reporters that she would provide updates, but no further details had been shared as of the time of this report.
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This incident is the latest in a series of violent attacks in Abia State. On Monday, the Abia State government accused unnamed politicians and external parties of fueling kidnappings and violence targeting security personnel and civilians since May 2024. In a statement signed by Ferdinand Ekeoma, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, the government vowed to hold the perpetrators accountable.
“The promoters of violence and insecurity in the state will pay a heavy price,” the statement read.
However, John Okiyi Kalu, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Commissioner for Trade and Investment, criticized the government’s position. He argued that insecurity in the state should not be politicized but rather addressed through actionable measures.
The attack has heightened tensions in the state, with citizens calling for swift action to restore peace and ensure the safety of residents and security personnel alike.
Crime
Ebonyi Police Crackdown Leaves Labourer Dead, Three Others Injured
A yet-to-be-identified labourer was reportedly shot dead on Wednesday, while three others sustained critical injuries, during an altercation involving the Crack Squad of the Ebonyi State Police Command at Ugwuechara Junction in Abakaliki.
Witnesses say the incident began when members of the Crack Squad stopped a motorcycle rider, accusing him of fraud and attempting to seize his motorcycle.
The rider reportedly identified himself as a member of the military but was allegedly assaulted by the operatives.
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An eyewitness recounted, “As the policemen removed his cap and started hitting him with their guns, the bike man tried to resist them, possibly to snatch one of their guns.
“One of the team opened fire, which killed one of the labour seekers, who usually gather at the junction to look for daily jobs. Three persons were wounded and were rushed to the hospital.”
The deceased, a labourer waiting for work at the junction, was struck by the gunfire. Among the injured are a young apprentice at a barbershop and a female passer-by.
Witnesses say the police operatives took the body of the deceased and the motorcycle rider to their station after the incident.
Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer in Ebonyi, Joshua Ukandu, were unsuccessful as he did not respond to calls or messages.
However, Obinna Mbam, the Special Assistant on Internal Security to Governor Francis Nwifuru, confirmed the incident.
“Normalcy has returned to the area,” Mr. Mbam said. “The state government will ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.”
The incident has sparked outrage among residents of Ebonyi State, who have raised concerns about the increasing cases of police brutality, extortion, and indiscriminate arrests.
Many residents also expressed dissatisfaction with the Crack Squad, which was established as part of police reforms following the disbandment of the controversial Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in 2020.
Crime
IGP Files Fraud Charges Against Ex-Senator, Two Others Over N400m Scam
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has filed criminal charges against former Nigerian senator Andy Uba and two others, accusing them of defrauding a complainant, George Uboh, of N400 million.
The charges, which include two counts, were brought before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Uba, who represented Anambra South in the Senate from 2011 to 2019, along with Crystal Uba and Benjamin Etu, is alleged to have conspired with Hajiya Fatima, who remains at large, to defraud Uboh in 2022.
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According to the charges, the accused individuals falsely claimed they could secure the appointment of the managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for anyone who could pay N400 million.
“The accused persons collected the N400 million from Mr. Uboh and converted it into their personal use,” the police said, describing the actions as a violation of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offenses Act of 2006.
The police also revealed that six witnesses would testify against the accused parties.
The case was officially filed on 10 October 2023 by Abdulrashid Sidi from the Police Legal/Prosecution Section.
During a hearing on 13 November, the prosecution informed the court that the defendants had been evading the service of court documents despite being granted administrative bail.
“The defendants obtained a fundamental rights enforcement order, which had prevented the police from bringing them to court,” said M.L. Anthony, a lawyer for the prosecution.
“It was only after the order was lifted that the defendants were finally charged before the judge.”
The trial, presided over by Justice Inyang Ekwo, was adjourned until 18 February 2025.
This delay allows time for the defendants to appear in court and take their plea, following the prosecution’s efforts to ensure they are properly served with legal documents.