Entertainment
Diddy denied bail after being cleared of most serious charges
A judge has denied bail to Sean “Diddy” Combs after a jury convicted the hip-hop mogul of transportation to engage in prostitution, but acquitted him of the most serious charges: racketeering and sex-trafficking.
Lawyers for the recording artist had argued he posed no flight risk, pointing out his jet is being chartered in Hawaii.
But Judge Arun Subramanian cited Combs’ history of violence as he ruled the rapper must remain behind bars until sentencing later this year when he faces up to 20 years in prison.
In the nearly two-month federal trial in New York City, prosecutors accused Combs of using his celebrity status and business empire to run a criminal enterprise to sex traffic women.
A panel of 12 jurors deliberated for 13 hours before acquitting Combs of three of the most serious five charges.
He will continue to be held at the same federal jail in Brooklyn where he has been detained since last September.
The sentencing was tentatively scheduled for 3 October.
Combs’ attorney, Marc Agnifilo, made an impassioned argument for the judge to release his client.
The defence lawyer said Combs had attended a programme for perpetrators of domestic violence to try to reform his conduct, even before he was arrested, and that he had not been violent since 2018.
“I just think we should trust him,” Agnifilo said.
But Combs’ ex-girlfriend, musician Casandra Ventura, had warned the court in a letter that the hip-hop mogul posed a danger if released.
The rapper had acknowledged domestic violence, but denied any non-consensual sexual encounters or a larger racketeering scheme.
Judge Subramanian said bail was being denied because “the defence conceded violence in his personal relationship”.
The mood in court was emotional after jurors announced they had acquitted Combs of the most serious charges of racketeering and sex trafficking.
Sex trafficking and racketeering both carry a maximum sentence of life in prison.
As Combs learned the verdict, he got on his knees, put his face into his chair and appeared to be praying. He was shaking.
The verdict comes a day after jurors told the court they had reached a decision on the sex-trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution charges against Combs, but were unable to decide on the racketeering count.
The jurors said they had had “unpersuadable” opinions on both sides about the charge, which was the most complicated of any of the counts Combs faced.
Racketeering conspiracy, or directing an illegal enterprise under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (Rico), is the formal name for the charge.
To convict Combs on this charge, prosecutors had to prove he used his loyal network of associates to run a criminal enterprise to commit crimes including sex trafficking, kidnapping, drugging and obstruction of justice.
Defence lawyers argued the case could not be considered to be racketeering if members of Combs’ staff were not knowingly complicit.
Prosecutors called more than 30 witnesses over the course of the seven-week trial, including Ms Ventura, rapper Kid Cudi, several ex-employees and hotel security workers.
They alleged Combs had relied on employees to coerce his partners into so-called “freak-offs”, in which his girlfriends would have sex with a male escort while he watched and filmed.
The government relied on testimony from Ms Ventura, who took the witness stand while eight-months pregnant, telling the court that Combs had pressured her into sex acts and threatened to release tapes of the freak-offs if she disobeyed.
Ms Ventura warned on Wednesday that Combs would pose a danger if granted bail.
In a letter filed to the court, her attorney Douglas Wigdor wrote: “Ms Ventura believes that Mr Combs is likely to pose a danger to the victims who testified in this case, including herself, as well as to the community.”
At the centre of their case was a video of the rapper beating and dragging Ms Ventura in a Los Angeles hotel hallway in 2016 – surveillance footage that security employees testified Combs tried to pay them to delete.
Combs’ attorneys conceded their client was violent towards women, but argued that his behaviour was motivated by drugs and jealousy, not evidence of a larger sex trafficking and racketeering scheme.
Combs is also facing dozens of civil lawsuits alleging sexual assault and violence.
The Harlem-born rapper founded Bad Boy Records in 1993, a label that represented some of the biggest names in hip hop – including Notorious B.I.G. and Usher.
He went on to establish a clothing line called Sean John and a variety of other businesses including fragrances, alcohol and even a media company.
Entertainment
Bauchi Hisbah prohibits DJs, women from attending male social gatherings
“The Fulani traditional activity known as Sharo or Shadi and Garaya is prohibited. Cultural traditional activities known as Kauyawa day, DJ, Gala, Aloba, etc, are prohibited.”
• Islamic police/ Fb
The Hisbah Command of the Bauchi State Shariah Commission has issued strict guidelines regulating social gatherings in the state, further ordering adherence to the guidelines.
In a statement issued by the Permanent Commissioner Hisbah, Barrister Aminu Balarabe Isah, dated July 16, 2025, and titled “Guidelines Governing the Conduct of Marriage Ceremonies and other Festivals in Bauchi State”, the command said that there have been complaints from the general public on the increase of social vices and the breach of public peace during marriage ceremonies and birthdays.
Hisbah prohibits DJ, women from attending male social gatherings in Bauchi By : Rauf Oyewole, Bauchi Date: 27 Aug 2025Share :Hisbah[FILES] HisbahThe Hisbah Command of the Bauchi State Sharia’h Commission has issued strict guidelines regulating social gatherings in the state, further ordering adherence to the guidelines.In a statement issued by the Permanent Commissioner Hisbah, Barrister Aminu Balarabe Isah, dated July 16, 2025, and titled “Guidelines Governing the Conduct of Marriage Ceremonies and other Festivals in Bauchi State”, the command said that there have been complaints from the general public on the increase of social vices and the breach of public peace during marriage ceremonies and birthdays.
The statement said that Hisbah Command “is left with no option but to set the following guidelines: Mixing up the opposite sex is highly prohibited.
Dancing with the opposite sex amidst infants and children is highly prohibited.“Buying and selling of toxicants of any kind and their consumption are highly prohibited.
A person in possession of weapon(s) (of any nature) should not be granted entrance.“Seating arrangement has to be in accordance with gender considerations.
Any act capable of inciting the general public is prohibited.
“All activities must be suspended during the stipulated prayer times.
Traditional dressing code should be adhered to. Using blasphemy or abusive language against an individual or constituted authority is prohibited.
“All activities organised by females should only be patronised by females and vice versa.
“The Fulani traditional activity known as Sharo or Shadi and Garaya is prohibited. Cultural traditional activities known as Kauyawa day, DJ, Gala, Aloba, etc, are prohibited.”
The command also prohibited gambling of any nature, saying prostitution in all its ramifications and other immoral acts are equally prohibited in all centres, clubs, hotels, houses and recreational centres.
Entertainment
Tiwa Savage’s launching ‘This One Is Personal’ new album
Savage, who has stayed away from releasing a full studio album since 2020, said the project reflects her personal journey over the past five years, balancing career transitions, motherhood, and self-discovery.
•Tiwa Savage
Nigerian music superstar, Tiwa Savage, is set to launch her new album, ‘This One Is Personal’, on August 29.
Savage disclosed on her X account that the 13-track album explores the themes of pain, growth, and resilience, with a deeply intimate Afrobeats sound.
This One Is Personal’ marks her first full-length project since 2020’s Celia, ending a five-year break from major releases.
Recorded across Nashville, London, and Lagos, the project features minimal collaborations, including UK rapper Skepta and rising star Taves.
“This album is my story, so I kept the features limited.“I wanted you all to feel me in every song. The few features I chose were very intentional, with people who understood the vision and could add to the message without taking away from its intimacy. It’s less about numbers and more about connection,” Savage shared in a fan Q&A on X.
Savage, who has stayed away from releasing a full studio album since 2020, said the project reflects her personal journey over the past five years, balancing career transitions, motherhood, and self-discovery.
The young lady who was flunged into the Lagos Lagoon after the fatal accident that occurred on 3rd Mainland Bridge on Sunday night has been buried according to Islamic right.
Ohibaba.com recalls that some fans of Nigerian singer, Seyi Vibez reportedly lost their lives in the fatal accident.
The victims were said to have passed away while returning from the Seyi Vibez concert on Saturday night at Lagos Island.
Sharing the devastating news, an eyewitness, @alli_ya7 posted the video of the incident on X.
While advising the public against reckless driving, she revealed that the victims had engaged in a car race on expressway.
She wrote: “They left the show and started racing on the express, trying to overtake other cars.
Why race on the highway? May their souls rest in peace. SPEED KILLS.
”The fatal incident, which involved more than four vehicles, sparked outrage and grief online.
Meanwhile, five others who died in the crashes were laid to rest at Marikaz Cemetery, Agege, on Monday morning.
Watch the video below:
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