Headline

FULL LIST: All Allegations Made Against US Rapper, P Diddy

Published

1 year ago

September 26, 2024

Sean Combs, known as P Diddy or Puff Daddy, the rapper and music mogul credited with launching the careers of major stars, has been in the spotlight recently for legal troubles.

Combs was arrested on Monday, September 16, by federal agents in New York after facing months of civil lawsuits alleging sex trafficking, sexual abuse and rape.

Combs, who was denied bail twice, is being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.

According to The Independent, federal prosecutors in a newly unsealed indictment accuse Combs and his associates of coercing and abusing women to fulfil his sexual desires, including forcing victims into recorded sexual activities, which he allegedly called “Freak Outs.”

Combs’ lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, called the rapper “an innocent man.”

“We are disappointed with the decision to pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution of Mr. Combs by the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” Agnifilo told The Independent via email.

Sky News reports that the charges relate to sex trafficking, drug possession and firearms offences.

The three major charges outlined by the Southern District of New York in a legal indictment are racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion and transportation to engage in prostitution.

The indictment, as reported by Sky News, alleges the following:

Combs is alleged to have “abused, threatened, and coerced women and others around him to fulfil his sexual desires, protect his reputation, and conceal his conduct” dating back to at least 2008.

The 54-year-old is accused of leveraging his employees, resources, and industry influence to establish a “criminal enterprise whose members and associates engaged in, and attempted to engage in, among other crimes, sex trafficking, forced labour, kidnapping, arson, bribery, and obstruction of justice”.

He is accused of coercing female victims and male sex workers into participating in drug-fueled sexual acts, referred to as “Freak Offs,” according to the legal document.

According to Sky News, the document mentions “Freak Offs” 16 times, describing them as elaborate, staged sexual performances that Combs orchestrated, directed, and often recorded, while also engaging in the acts.

Prosecutors claim that victims were administered controlled substances during events that sometimes lasted for days, keeping them “obedient and compliant.” Combs allegedly subjected them to “physical, emotional, and verbal abuse” to compel their participation.

The indictment further alleges that Combs and his business associates “engaged in acts of violence, threats of harm, both physical and reputational and verbal abuse.” These acts reportedly included kidnapping and arson when individuals who witnessed the alleged abuse challenged his authority or reputation.

The Independent also published all the allegations against Sean Combs, noting that lawsuits against the rapper began on November 16, 2023, when he was sued by singer and dancer Casandra Ventura, also known as Cassie, his former partner, who alleged years of abuse.

Allegations

Casandra ‘Cassie’ Ventura

R&B singer Casandra Ventura, also known as Cassie, filed a 2023 lawsuit accusing Combs of subjecting her to a decade-long pattern of trafficking, rape, and physical abuse.

A 2016 surveillance footage, obtained by CNN on May 17, 2024, appeared to validate aspects of Ventura’s allegations, capturing Combs chasing and violently assaulting her in a Los Angeles hotel corridor.

In a swift resolution, Ventura settled the lawsuit with Combs for an undisclosed sum just one day after filing, stating she preferred to “resolve this matter amicably.”

Derrick Lee Cardello-Smith, a 51-year-old inmate, filed a lawsuit alleging Combs drugged and sexually assaulted him at a party three decades ago, as revealed in court documents obtained by Detroit’s Metro Times.

Combs’ failure to attend a virtual hearing resulted in a $100 million default judgment in favour of Cardello-Smith on September 9.

Rodney ‘Lil Rod’ Jones
A February 2024 lawsuit in New York accuses Combs of subjecting music producer Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones to a prolonged campaign of sexual harassment, intimidation and exploitation.

Jones, who worked for Combs from September 2022 to November 2023, alleged unwanted advances by Combs’ associates and forced into encounters with sex workers hired by Combs.

Joie Dickerson-Neal
Joie Dickerson-Neal filed a lawsuit in November 2023, accusing Combs of drugging, sexually assaulting, and secretly recording the assault without her consent in 1991, while she was a college student, according to NBC News, citing court documents.

Crystal McKinney
Following the release of CCTV footage showing Combs attacking Ventura, former model Crystal McKinney filed a lawsuit in May alleging Combs sexually assaulted her at his New York City recording studio in 2003.

April Lampros
Shortly after McKinney’s lawsuit, April Lampros came forward alleging Combs sexually assaulted her multiple times between 1995 and the early 2000s, following their initial meeting while she was a student.

Dawn Richard
Dawn Richard, a former bandmate, sued Sean “Diddy” Combs in New York federal court, alleging years of physical and sexual abuse starting in 2009.

Richard accuses Combs of withholding payment, groping, making lewd comments, physical violence, and death threats, also claiming he enabled the sexual exploitation of underage girls and abused singer Cassie.

Combs has denied all allegations and vowed to defend himself, pleading not guilty to all charges.

“Diddy is an imperfect person but is not criminal,” Combs’ lawyer had said.

“To his credit, Mr Combs has been nothing but cooperative with this investigation and he voluntarily relocated to New York last week in anticipation of these charges.

“Please reserve your judgment until you have all the facts. These are the acts of an innocent man with nothing to hide, and he looks forward to clearing his name in court,” his lawyer added.
AFP/PUNCH

Headline

Aircraft Crashes In Owerri With Four Persons Onboard

Published

3 days ago

December 17, 2025

Editor

Photo: File copy

A Cessna 172 aircraft with registration number 5N-ASR, operated by Skypower Express, has crashed at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, Imo State.

The aircraft had departed Kaduna International Airport en route to Port Harcourt International Airport before diverting to Owerri after the crew declared an emergency.

The crash occurred at about 8:00 pm on the airport premises, with four passengers and crew members onboard.

Confirming the incident, the Director, Public Affairs and Family Assistance of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Mrs. Bimbo Oladeji, said the agency had been notified of the crash.

According to the NSIB, the aircraft crashed on the approach area of Runway 17, but no fatalities have been recorded so far.

The statement said: “Following the occurrence, airport emergency services were successfully activated and arrived on site promptly. Reports indicate that there was no post-crash fire, and the runway remains active for flight operations, with other aircraft taking off safely after the incident.

“Efforts are currently underway to coordinate the recovery and evacuation of the distressed aircraft from the crash site to allow for a detailed wreckage examination.”

The NSIB said it has officially activated its investigation protocols in line with its statutory mandate

The Director-General of NSIB, Capt. Alex Badeh Jr., sympathised with the management of Skypower Express over the incident and expressed relief that no lives were lost.

Badeh Jr. added that the Bureau’s investigation team is already coordinating with relevant authorities to secure the crash site and commence a detailed investigation into the cause of the accident.

Two days ago, 11 persons narrowly escaped death as a private jet crash-landed at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, on Sunday morning.

The occupants, including passengers and cabin crew, were safely evacuated amid an intense atmosphere, eyewitnesses told The Guardian.

The private jet, owned by Flybird Aviation, crash-landed at about 9:30 a.m. while approaching Kano Airport en route to Abuja.

The incident attracted urgent attention, with emergency staff and other stakeholders converging at the runway to render rescue operations.

The management of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) is yet to release an official statement on the incident. Unofficial sources disclosed that the passengers have been taken to an unknown destination.

Several aircraft incidents have occurred at Kano Airport, with several lives lost.

The last incident occurred in May 2002, when an EAS Airline aircraft departed the runway at Aminu Kano International Airport at 1:29 p.m. local time en route to Lagos.

Headline

Musk Breaks Record As First Person Worth Over $600 Billion

Published

3 days ago

December 16, 2025

Editor

Elon Musk, Chief Executive Officer of SpaceX, Tesla, and xAI, has reached a new personal wealth milestone, surpassing a net worth of $600 billion, driven primarily by a recent valuation increase of SpaceX.

The development makes Musk the first individual in history to exceed the US$600 billion threshold.

According to Bloomberg’s Billionaires Index, Musk’s net worth stood at approximately $638 billion as of 15 December 2025, with the increase largely attributed to SpaceX, which was recently valued at around $800 billion following an insider share sale.

The privately held aerospace company, based in Starbase, Texas, is now considered the most valuable private firm globally, significantly boosting Musk’s personal holdings.

Musk’s stake in Tesla, estimated at roughly 12 per cent, is valued at nearly $200 billion, while his majority ownership of xAI Holdings is estimated at $60 billion.

Collectively, these assets place him on track to potentially approach US$700 billion, widening the gap between him and the world’s second-richest individual, former Google CEO Larry Page, valued at $265 billion.

The SpaceX valuation comes ahead of a projected public listing in 2026, which could see the company valued at approximately $1.5 trillion.

“Other shareholder meetings are snooze-fests but ours are bangers. Look at this. This is sick,” Musk said in November during Tesla’s shareholder meeting, referring to a performance-linked pay package approved by investors.

He added, “I super appreciate it.” The package, potentially worth up to US$1 trillion in stock, is tied to market-capitalisation and operational milestones over the next decade.

SpaceX’s Starlink satellite network has also contributed to investor confidence. The company continues to expand high-speed internet access to underserved regions worldwide.

Chad Gibbs, Vice President of Starlink Operations, stated that the satellite technology “bypasses the need to build massive amounts of infrastructure,” allowing broader and faster connectivity.

Musk’s ascent in personal wealth follows years of strategic risk-taking and long-term planning, with Tesla’s focus on electric vehicles, battery technology, and autonomous systems laying the foundation for his financial growth.

Analysts note that the combination of SpaceX’s soaring valuation, Tesla’s long-term incentives, and Musk’s diverse portfolio underpins his current status as the world’s wealthiest individual.

Headline

South Korea, Japan Protest China, Russia Aircraft Incursions

Published

1 week ago

December 10, 2025

Editor

South Korea and Japan reacted furiously on Wednesday after Chinese and Russian military aircraft conducted joint patrols around the two countries, with both Seoul and Tokyo scrambling jets.

South Korea said it had protested with representatives of China and Russia, while Japan said it had conveyed its “serious concerns” over national security.

According to Tokyo, two Russian Tu-95 nuclear-capable bombers on Tuesday flew from the Sea of Japan to rendezvous with two Chinese H-6 bombers in the East China Sea, then conducted a joint flight around the country.

The incident comes as Japan is locked in a dispute with China over comments Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi made about Taiwan.

The bombers’ joint flights were “clearly intended as a show of force against our nation, Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi wrote on X Wednesday.

Top government spokesman Minoru Kihara said that Tokyo had “conveyed to both China and Russia our serious concerns over our national security through diplomatic channels”.

Seoul said Tuesday the Russian and Chinese warplanes entered its air defence zone and that a complaint had been lodged with the defence attaches of both countries in the South Korean capital.

“Our military will continue to respond actively to the activities of neighbouring countries’ aircraft within the KADIZ in compliance with international law,” said Lee Kwang-suk, director general of the International Policy Bureau at Seoul’s defence ministry, referring to the Korea Air Defence Identification Zone.

South Korea also said it deployed “fighter jets to take tactical measures in preparation for any contingencies” in response to the Chinese and Russian incursion into the KADIZ.

The planes were spotted before they entered the air defence identification zone, defined as a broader area in which countries police aircraft for security reasons but which does not constitute their airspace.

Japan’s defence ministry also scrambled fighter jets to intercept the warplanes.

Beijing later Tuesday confirmed it had organised drills with Russia’s military according to “annual cooperation plans”.

Moscow also described it as a routine exercise, saying it lasted eight hours and that some foreign fighter jets followed the Russian and Chinese aircraft.

Since 2019, China and Russia have regularly flown military aircraft into South Korea’s air defence zone without prior notice, citing joint exercises.

In November last year, Seoul scrambled jets as five Chinese and six Russian military planes flew through its air defence zone.

Similar incidents occurred in June and December 2023, and in May and November 2022.

Meanwhile, Tokyo said Monday it had scrambled jets in response to repeated takeoff and landing exercises involving fighter jets and military helicopters from China’s Liaoning aircraft carrier as it cruised in international waters near Japan.

It also summoned Beijing’s ambassador after military aircraft from the Liaoning locked radar onto Japanese jets, the latest incident in the row ignited by Takaichi’s comments backing Taiwan.

Takaichi suggested last month that Japan would intervene militarily in any Chinese attack on the self-ruled island, which Beijing claims as its own and has not ruled out seizing by force.

AFP