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.
Police Rescue Three Kidnap Victims in Taraba After Sustained Pressure
The Nigeria Police Force has disclosed the rescue of three kidnapped victims in Taraba State following sustained pressure mounted by its rescue teams.
The victims were identified as Otuwe Torhumba, 37; Kenneth Nyiutse, 35; and Michael Emmanuel, 27.
The Force made the disclosure on Saturday, October 3, 2026, in its 24-hour operational update covering security operations recorded across the country on October 2.
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According to the Police, “Due to sustained pressure by Police rescue teams, three of five kidnapped victims — Otuwe Torhumba (37), Kenneth Nyiutse (35) and Michael Emmanuel (27) — were rescued unharmed and reunited with their families.”
The Police said the three victims were rescued unharmed and subsequently reunited with their families.
The Force did not provide further details on the circumstances surrounding the abduction or the whereabouts of the remaining two victims in the operational summary.
The case is currently being investigated by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Jalingo.
The rescue was among several operational successes recorded by the Nigeria Police Force during the reporting period.
The Nigeria Police Force has disclosed the rescue of an 86-year-old man and his son after they were allegedly detained by suspected members of the Axe Men confraternity in Cross River State.
The victims, identified as Dominic Columbus Udoh, 86, and his son, Emmanuel Columbus Udoh, 40, were rescued by Police operatives on Friday, October 2, 2026.
The Police made the disclosure on Saturday, October 3, in its 24-hour operational update detailing security successes recorded across the country.
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According to the Force, Police operatives were mobilised to the scene after receiving information that suspected Axe Men confraternity cultists had unlawfully detained the two men.
The Police said the suspected cultists fled from the scene when operatives arrived.
The Force stated that officers, with assistance from neighbours, “forced open the locked apartment,” where the two victims were found.
According to the Police, both victims had sustained facial and chest injuries.
They were subsequently rescued and conveyed to the Police Hospital for medical treatment.
The Police said the incident is currently being investigated by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Calabar.
The Nigeria Police Force has disclosed that personnel of Operation Zenda Joint Task Force (JTF) repelled an ambush by suspected bandits along the Amaafu-Abaji Road in Benue State.
The incident occurred on Friday, October 2, 2026, during a routine patrol by the security personnel along the road.
The Police made the disclosure on Saturday, in its 24-hour operational update detailing security successes recorded across different states.
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According to the Police, “Personnel of Operation Zenda JTF on routine patrol along Amaafu-Abaji Road successfully repelled an ambush by bandits, neutralizing one suspect and recovering his locally fabricated gun.”
The Police added that other members of the group fled into the surrounding bushes following the encounter.
It further stated that “No Police casualty was recorded” during the operation.
The recovered firearm was subsequently taken as part of the evidence from the operation as investigations continue.
The Police said the case has been placed under investigation by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Makurdi.
The Police Force continues to urge members of the public to provide security agencies with timely and useful information that can assist ongoing operations against criminal elements.
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