Connect with us

Entertainment

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Sex Crimes Trial To Begin Monday

Published

on

Spread the love

Jury selection is set to begin Monday in New York in the blockbuster trial of music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, who dramatically fell from grace following his incarceration on charges of sex trafficking and racketeering.

 

Combs, 55, has been awaiting his day in court since last year on accusations of leading a crime ring that prosecutors say coerced victims into drug-fueled sex parties using threats and violence.

Combs has pleaded not guilty to all charges, insisting that any sex acts were consensual. At a recent hearing, his attorney Marc Agnifilo offered a preview of his team’s defense by describing the artist’s free-wheeling “swinger” lifestyle.

The prosecution said in court it had offered Combs a plea deal — the specifics were not disclosed — but that he had rejected it.

If convicted, the one-time rap producer and global superstar, who is often credited for his role in ushering hip-hop into the mainstream, could spend the rest of his life in prison.

Advertisement
Over the decades, the artist — who has gone by various stage names including Puff Daddy and P Diddy — amassed vast wealth for his work in music but also his ventures in the liquor industry.

The jury selection start date is notably the first Monday in May — which annually marks New York’s Met Gala, a glittering celebrity charity bash where Combs was once a red carpet mainstay.

Just two years ago, he posed for the cameras at that event uptown — but on Monday, he will be in downtown in federal court, as the panel of citizens tasked with determining his fate face a barrage of questions from lawyers on both sides.

Jury selection is expected to wrap up in about a week, with opening statements tentatively scheduled for May 12.Combs was arrested by federal agents in New York in September 2024 and denied bail multiple times.

He is being held at Brooklyn’s notorious Metropolitan Detention Center, a facility plagued by complaints of vermin and decay as well as violence.

High-profile inmates there have included disgraced R&B star R. Kelly, Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell and Sam Bankman-Fried, the cryptocurrency entrepreneur convicted of fraud.

During pre-trial hearings, Combs has appeared in court looking remarkably aged, his once jet-black, styled coif now overgrown and gray.

Freak-offs’

Central to the case is Combs’s relationship with his former girlfriend, the singer Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, who is expected to be a key trial witness.

A disturbing surveillance video from 2016, which was aired by CNN last year, shows Combs physically assaulting Ventura at a hotel.

Prosecutors say the encounter occurred following one of the “freak-offs” they argue were a feature of his pattern of abuse.

The so-called “freak-offs” were coercive, drug-fueled sexual marathons including sex workers that were sometimes filmed, according to the indictment.

It’s unclear how much of the CNN video will be shown to jurors as evidence in court — the footage’s quality has been a sticking point between the opposing legal teams — but Judge Arun Subramanian has ruled that at least some of it will be admissible.

Combs has no major convictions but has long been trailed by allegations of physical assault, dating back well into the 1990s.

The floodgates against the Grammy winner opened after Ventura filed a civil suit alleging Combs subjected her to more than a decade of coercion by physical force and drugs as well as a 2018 rape.

That 2023 suit was quickly settled out of court, but a string of similarly lurid sexual assault claims from both women and men followed — and the federal criminal indictment dropped after a raid of his luxury properties in Miami and Los Angeles.

The indictment includes a charge of racketeering conspiracy, the federal statute known by its acronym RICO that was once seen as primarily targeting the mafia but in recent years has also been wielded frequently in cases of sexual abuse.

It allows government attorneys to project a long view of criminal activity rather than prosecuting isolated sex crimes, and requires proving “predicate acts” — the crimes elemental to the wider pattern of illegal wrongdoing.

In 2021, it was successfully used to convict R. Kelly, the fallen R&B hitmaker who was sentenced to more than 30 years of prison including for child sex crimes.

Industry watchers are also monitoring Combs’s case as a potential inflection point in the music world which, beyond the case of Kelly, has largely evaded the #MeToo reckoning that has rocked Hollywood.

 

 

 

 

AFP

Business

Chris Kolade Leadership Award Loading As KMEN Sets for MegaSummit 2026

Published

on

Spread the love

Kingdom Men Global Network aka KMEN has formally announced the programmes of the 13th edition of its flagship annual gathering for men, Mega Summit.

 

This year’s event will open on Thursday May 14 and end on Sunday May 17 with an all-men musical concert.

The 2026 edition of Mega Summit which will hold at the Presken Hotels on Alade Avenue opposite Airport Hotel, Ikeja Lagos has as theme: Legacy…Faith. Family. Community. And for the first time Mega Summit will host an award on the opening day in memory of foremost Nigerian diplomat and integrity personified and pioneer Chairman of the Board of Trustee of KMEN, late Dr Christopher Kolade who died last year at the age of 92.

The KMEN-Christopher Kolade – Men in Leadership Award for Courageous Manhood will be heralded by the Men in Leadership Summit (MiLEADS) with the sub-theme – Building a Culture of Leadership with Integrity. And will have as speakers Archbishop John Osa-Oni of Vineyard Christian Ministries., Pastor Tunde Bakare of The Citadel Global Community Church, and renowned Pharmacist, entrepreneur and politician Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, OFR.

 

Pastor Tunde Bakare

Day two will feature another special session for Men in Church Leadership (MiCLEADS) with the sub-theme: Leaving a Legacy of Faith/Discipling for the Next Generation, and will have as speakers Bishop Sunday Onadipe, Bishop, Methodist Church of Nigeria, Diocese of Badagry, Apostle Eyinnaya Okwuonu, former Chairman of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Lagos Chapter., Pastor Dominion Roberts from Liberia, and Rev Fr Matthew Ogunyase of the Catholic Mission, Lagos.

While day three will open with a Special Town Hall discussion on Family with the sub-theme – The Father’s Role in Shaping Legacy and is the only mixed gender panel for Mega Summit 2026 featuring foremost life change coach, Mrs. Yemisi Lagunju and Rev David Abraham, who is the managing director of Managing Business for Christ (MBFC).

On Saturday is a Special Town Hall on Resisting an Emerging Legacy of Addictions. This segment will feature a presentation by Dr Dokun Adedeji on the ravage of Drug Addictions, alongside Abiose Akolade Ladipo, Co-Founder of GamblePause, a Lagos-based NGO in the fight against Gambling Addictions.

Later in the afternoon on Saturday is a second Town Hall session on Business and Economy with the sub-theme: Building Sustainable/Generational Businesses, and will feature notable panelists like Rev Professor Biodun Adedipe Founder of BA and Associates, and Rev Dr Abba Peter, Managing Director of Best Practices Limited, among others.Other Town Hall segments at Mega Summit 2026 include that on Politics/Governance with the sub-theme: Swimming Against the Tide – National Transformation through Service, and another Town Hall on Media featuring Mr. Mustapha Isah Osikhekha, former President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Omoba Deji Irawo and others as they navigate best way to Reclaim the Narrative: Legacy in Digital Spaces.

An extra-ordinary edition, the 13th edition of Mega Summit will also have segments designed to equip leaders in men’s ministry through the instrument of KMEN’s School of Men’s Ministry/ISI Training. Each day of Mega Summit 2026 is divided into three segments – morning starting at 9 am, afternoon session and evening climaxing with an impartation service.KMEN is an uncompromisingly Bible-based, independent ministry to men. Established nearly two decades ago, the ministry’s objective is to assist men, irrespective of their church affiliations, in their Christian Walk, that they may become better sons, brothers, husbands, fathers and leaders.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Mohbad: Court Fixes Date On Case Seeking Fresh Probe Into Singer’s Death

Published

on

Spread the love

A Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed May 28 to hear a lawsuit asking the Nigeria Police Force to reopen the investigation into the death of late singer, Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad.

 

The case was filed by the Break the Silence Foundation. They are asking the court to order the police to carry out a fresh and thorough investigation into how the singer died in September 2023.

The group wants the police to question everyone who was with Mohbad during his final moments. This includes his wife, Omowumi Cynthia Aloba, his close friends, and his father, Joseph Aloba.

The foundation also raised concerns about why the singer was buried so quickly without getting permission from the police first. They want the court to make sure that anyone found responsible for his death is arrested and charged.

During the court sitting on Monday, lawyers for the group confirmed that they had successfully sent the legal papers to the police. Justice James Omotosho then agreed to hear the matter later this month.

The death of the 27-year-old musician caused a lot of pain across Nigeria, and many fans are still waiting to find out exactly what happened to him. This new court case is another step toward justice for the late star.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Skitmaker Rejects INEC Youth Ambassador Job, Gives Reason

Published

on

Spread the love

Nigerian skitmaker and satire content creator, Kevin Chinedu, popularly known as ‘Governor Amuneke’, has explained why he turned down an offer to serve as a youth ambassador for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

 

In a video shared on his X handle on Monday, Governor Amuneke said he was contacted for the role via social media and initially felt a deep sense of pride, describing the recognition as a major milestone in his journey.

“Reports came to me that I was going to be appointed as INEC Youth Ambassador. I have never felt as proud of myself when I got that message,” he said.

He noted that the opportunity meant even more to him because of his background and the struggles he endured before gaining visibility as a content creator.

“This is supposed to be a national honour. I do not know how to feel about it, but it brought me tears of joy when I thought about how far I have come,” he added.

Amuneke said he was informed that the role would place him alongside notable figures and involve engaging young Nigerians on civic responsibilities such as voter registration and participation in elections.

However, his excitement waned after he raised concerns about how the role might affect the nature of his content, which is largely built on political satire and criticism of governance.

“I asked a simple question. I said, ‘Am I going to still be able to criticise INEC if I’m appointed?’” he said.

According to him, the response he received indicated that while he could continue creating content and even promote civic awareness, he would not be allowed to directly criticise the electoral body.

“They told me they have seen the type of content I do. All of that can still go on. As a matter of fact, I can even preach about getting PVCs and all of that. However, I cannot criticise directly INEC,” he stated.

Amuneke explained that the restriction raised serious concerns, given that his work was rooted in holding institutions accountable and amplifying the voices of ordinary Nigerians.

“The moment I heard that, what seemed like congratulations disappeared. I wish it did not come with certain conditions to box my voice,” he said.

He stressed that accepting such a condition would contradict the core purpose of his platform, which he said is driven by real-life experiences and the struggles of citizens across Africa.

“My passion is rooted in so many things. First, tears of millions of Africans. Second, messages I get from different parts of Africa about governance. Thirdly, my background where I came from and what I have seen,” he said.

Amuneke added that the pressure to remain silent on certain issues would be worse than the challenges he currently faces as a critic.

“The pressure is worse when I am doing nothing. Those voices keep resounding, and that is what drives me,” he noted.

The comedian also used the moment to reflect on the responsibility that comes with influence, urging fellow content creators not to compromise their voices for recognition or financial gain.

“If you have a platform today and you do not compromise, always remember there are millions of people whose hope is on that voice. That voice is not just yours,” he said.

While declining the offer, he expressed appreciation to those who considered him for the role, describing it as meaningful recognition of his work.

“I want to thank the person who recommended me. I do not take these opportunities for granted. I am open to working with brands and institutions, but not under conditions that restrict my content,” he said.

The development came months after Governor Amuneke revealed that he had previously rejected financial inducements from political actors who allegedly attempted to influence his satirical content, reinforcing his stance on maintaining independence in his work

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2026 TheColumn NG