Crime
Sex Trafficking, Racketeering Charges: Sean “Diddy” Combs To Stand Trial In May 2025
A trial date has been set for music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, who faces charges of sex trafficking and racketeering.
The high-profile case is scheduled to begin on May 5, 2025, in Manhattan federal court.
Combs, 54, was arrested in mid-September on allegations of operating a large-scale criminal enterprise that involved the trafficking and abuse of women.
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Prosecutors have indicated that their investigation is still “very much ongoing,” suggesting the possibility of a superseding indictment, which could delay the trial.
Such an indictment would introduce additional charges, potentially complicating the case further.
As of now, all discovery— the pre-trial phase during which both parties exchange evidence— is expected to be completed by December 31, 2024.
Combs made a court appearance earlier this week, arriving from a Brooklyn jail.
He was accompanied by his mother and six of his children as he stood before Judge Arun Subramanian.
Wearing a tan prison uniform, Combs smiled and waved at his family before embracing his legal team.
The defense team has maintained that Combs is innocent, and he has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The prosecution expects to take three weeks to present its case, while Combs’ defense anticipates needing only one week.
The government’s case focuses on allegations that Combs used his businesses to facilitate trafficking, with events known as “Freak Offs” at the center of the accusations.
These events allegedly involved commercial sex workers who were coerced into performing prolonged sexual acts, some reportedly lasting for days and recorded without consent.
Public outrage has been swift, particularly after prosecutors accused Combs of engaging in a decades-long pattern of abuse toward women in his circle.
As Combs’ mother entered the courthouse, a bystander shouted, “Your son is a predator,” highlighting the growing backlash against the hip-hop star.
In response, Combs’ mother released a statement through her attorney, decrying what she described as a “public lynching” of her son before he has had the chance to defend himself in court.
If convicted, Combs faces a minimum of 15 years in prison, with the possibility of a life sentence.
The next hearing is set for December 18, 2024.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has withdrawn the arrest warrant issued against Ezekiel Thankgod, the former manager of renowned gospel singer, Mercy Chinwo.
Biztellers reports that Thankgod is facing allegations of involvement in a $345,000 fraud case.
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The arrest warrant had been issued by Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court on January 16, 2025, following an ex parte application by the EFCC seeking to compel Thankgod’s appearance in court.
During a court session on Friday, EFCC counsel, Mrs. Bilikisu Buhari, applied to withdraw the warrant, stating that the charges had already been served on Thankgod’s lawyer, Mr. Monday Ubani, SAN, during open court proceedings.
She argued that the warrant was no longer necessary.
Justice Owoeye granted the application and formally vacated the bench warrant.
Oba Otudeko, Chairman of Honeywell Group, appeared in the Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday to challenge charges of N12.3 billion fraud.
Biztellers reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had filed a 13-count indictment against Otudeko, along with Olabisi Onasanya, former Managing Director of FirstBank Plc., Soji Akintayo, a former board member of Honeywell, and Anchorage Leisure Ltd.
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During the proceedings, the defendants’ lawyer, Mr. Bode Olanipekun (SAN), raised an objection, stating that the charge had not been properly served to Otudeko or his co-defendants.
Olanipekun emphasized this issue as a reason for protest in court.
The EFCC has accused the individuals and the company of fraudulently obtaining N12.3 billion under false pretenses.
More to follow………..
Crime
Arrested Boko Haram Suspects: Adeleke Commends Security Operatives, Assures Safety Of Residents
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has commended the personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS), on the successful operation, that led to the arrest of 10 suspected members of Boko Haram/Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Ilesa, Osun State.
Gov Adeleke expressed his feelings in a statement on micro-blogging site, X, on Saturday.
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According to the statement, Gov Adeleke hailed the alertness of security operatives, to eliminate the threats posed by the suspected terrorists, which gives further assurance that our security agencies are up to the task of sustaining peace and security of every part of Nigeria.
He particularly commended the intelligence gathering of the personnel of the State Service, who have painstakingly monitor the activities of the suspected criminals and moved swiftly to cut off their dastardly act.
“This is a welcome development and a big relief, not just for us as a government but to the people of the state and Nigeria in general. I commend the security operatives for their alertness and intelligence driven operation. We have absolute confidence in our security forces to keep protecting us”, Gov Adeleke declared.
He assured that his administration will continue to cooperate with security agencies and support their operations to ensure maximum protection of lives and property of Osun people, noting that this remains top of his priority.
“As the Chief Security Officer of Osun State, I will continue to give priority to issues of security of my people. I will continue to support efforts of security agencies to guard against any breakdown of law and order in any part of Osun. We will sustain the good relationship and collaboration that currently exists between our administration and the security agencies in the state” the Governor noted.
Gov Adeleke enjoined residents of Osun to continue to be watchful, and report any suspicious activity in their neighborhoods to relevant security agency, while assuring that Osun will continue to be a peaceful state under his watch.
“I hereby call on my people to continue to live in peace and harmony and be at alert to report any suspicious activities or behavior around them to the relevant security authorities. Together, we will ensure that Osun remains the most peaceful state in Nigeria” he concluded.
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