Sean 'Diddy' Combs pleads for mercy ahead of sentencing - Newstrends
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Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs pleads for mercy ahead of sentencing

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Sean 'Diddy' Combs

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs pleads for mercy ahead of sentencing

The hip-hop mogul says he is no longer running from his “many mistakes”. He also addresses the infamous CCTV footage from an LA hotel in 2016, which showed him attacking his former girlfriend Cassie Ventura.

Combs was convicted of two prostitution-related charges in July, following a trial lasting almost eight weeks, but was cleared of more serious charges of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy.

In the letter, the 55-year-old admits “past wrongs” but says he is no longer running from his “many mistakes”.

He also addresses the infamous CCTV footage from an LA hotel in 2016, which showed him attacking his former girlfriend Cassie Ventura.

“First and foremost, I want to apologise and say how sincerely sorry I am for all of the hurt and pain that I have caused others by my conduct,” Combs writes. “I take full responsibility and accountability for my past wrongs.”

The rapper describes the last two years – which started with a civil lawsuit filed by Cassie in November 2023 – as the “hardest” of his life, but admits: “I have no one to blame for my current reality and situation but myself.”

Since his arrest in September 2024 and subsequent time in prison, the rapper says he has “had to look in the mirror like never before” and admits his “downfall was rooted in my selfishness”.

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Combs is due to be sentenced on Friday and faces a maximum of 20 years in prison.

Prosecutors have called for at least 11 years, while his defence team argues he should serve no more than 14 months. The latter would see him walk free almost immediately after time already served.

His letter comes after several filed by witnesses who testified during the trial, including Cassie, who has urged the judge not to be lenient and expressed fears for her safety.

She alleged on the witness stand that she was coerced and sometimes blackmailed into taking part in sex sessions with male escorts. Combs has strenuously denied allegations of sexual abuse, and jurors cleared him of sex trafficking, only finding him guilty of the charges relating to hiring the sex workers.

However, his legal team admitted from the beginning that he had been violent in the past.

‘I could not forgive anyone putting a hand on one of my daughters’

Talking about the 2016 CCTV footage – which showed Combs, wearing only a towel and socks, attacking Cassie in a hallway – he says in his letter: “The scene and images of me assaulting Cassie play over and over in my head daily.

“I literally lost my mind. I was dead wrong for putting my hands on the woman that I loved. I’m sorry for that and always will be. My domestic violence will always be a heavy burden that I will have to forever carry. The remorse, the sorrow, the regret, the disappointment, the shame.”

He goes on to say he feels sorry “for something that I couldn’t forgive someone else for: if they put their hands on one of my daughters.”

The footage was played several times during his trial after first being made public by CNN in May 2024.

The hip-hop mogul also references “Jane”, another former girlfriend who testified against him in court, who did not give her real name.

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“I thought I was providing for Jane concerning her and her child, but after hearing her testimony, I realised that I hurt her,” he writes. “For this I am deeply sorry. I lost my way … Lost in the drugs and the excess.”

‘The old me died in jail’

Combs goes on to describe his time in prison, saying he has been “humbled and broken to my core” and that there “have been so many times that I wanted to give up”.

“The old me died in jail and a new version of me was reborn. Prison will change you or kill you – I choose to live.”

Combs says he has had therapy and has been “working diligently to become the best version” of himself, and that there has been some good to come out of his time in prison.

“For starters, I am now sober for the first time in 25 years. I have been trying my best to deal with my drug abuse and anger issues and take accountability as well as positive steps towards healing.”

Asking Judge Subramanian for “mercy” for himself, his seven children and his 84-year-old mother, he says: “I have failed my children as a father. My father was murdered when I was three years old so I know first-hand what it is to not have a father. More than anything, I just want the opportunity to return home and be the father that they need and deserve.”

Combs goes on to say he is “scared to death” at the thought of spending more time away from his family, and that he no longer cares “about the money or the fame”.

And as previously detailed by his lawyers, he describes conditions at the Metropolitan Detention Centre in Brooklyn as inhumane – but says he is not looking for “pity or sympathy”, and that his time there has “changed me forever!”.

Combs concludes by vowing to never commit another crime again: “I can’t change the past, but I can change the future … I’m committed to the journey of remaining a drug free, non-violent and peaceful person.

“Today, I humbly ask you for another chance – another chance to be a better father, another chance to be a better son, another chance to be a better leader in my community, and another chance to live a better life.”

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs pleads for mercy ahead of sentencing

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Regina Daniels Shares Emotional Message on Children’s Welfare Amid Custody Battle

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Nollywood actress Regina Daniels with her children
Nollywood actress Regina Daniels with her children

Regina Daniels Shares Emotional Message on Children’s Welfare Amid Custody Battle

Nollywood actress Regina Daniels has voiced deep concern about the safety and well-being of her children following her separation from estranged husband, Senator Ned Nwoko. The actress, who has been navigating a highly publicised family dispute, emphasised her ongoing commitment to ensuring her children are protected despite restricted access.

In a heartfelt message shared on her son’s school social media page, Daniels commended Lincoln American Academy for its role in her child’s upbringing and growth. She appealed to school authorities to continue caring for her children in her absence, describing them as the “blessed fruit of my womb.” Daniels reassured her son of her constant prayers and watchfulness, writing: “Oh my Moon! Blessed fruit of my womb! Mama is so proud! Grow in good health, my child! I will always watch and pray over you from afar. @LincolnAmericanAcademy I trust you to look after my babies well.”

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The actress’ message comes amid an ongoing custody and marital dispute with Senator Nwoko, with reports suggesting limited access to her children in recent months. Daniels’ emotional statements have drawn significant public attention, highlighting the challenges of protecting children’s welfare in high-profile separations.

Representatives of Nwoko’s camp have responded to Daniels’ claims, stating that court-ordered evaluations and social welfare assessments were required before full access to the children could be restored. They assured that the children are living in a stable environment and that their well-being remains a priority.

Despite the legal and personal challenges, Daniels continues to stress her role as a mother and her desire to be actively involved in her children’s lives. Her appeal underscores the importance of child welfare, emotional support, and parental involvement even amid complex family disputes.

The story has resonated widely on social media, with fans and followers urging respect for the family’s privacy and emphasising the need to prioritise the children’s interests during this sensitive period.

Regina Daniels Shares Emotional Message on Children’s Welfare Amid Custody Battle

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How Death Threats During #EndSARS Made Me Rethink Activism – Omotola

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Veteran Nollywood actress and filmmaker Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde
Veteran Nollywood actress and filmmaker Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde

How Death Threats During #EndSARS Made Me Rethink Activism – Omotola

Veteran Nollywood actress and filmmaker Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde has disclosed that her children received death threats during the 2020 #EndSARS protests, prompting her to rethink how she engages in activism and public advocacy. The revelation highlights the personal risks faced by public figures and their families when participating in social movements.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Rubbin’ Minds, the 48-year-old actress described the period as the most intense and threatening chapter of her life. “I am used to death threats; I have received them many times,” she said. “But I have never seen anything like what happened during #EndSARS. It was intense. My kids started getting death threats. That was when it became weird.”

Omotola said she had been actively involved in the decentralized nationwide movement, which demanded an end to police brutality and the abuses of the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). Her activism included street protests, international advocacy, and media engagement, and she spoke with global outlets like CNN while liaising with international NGOs and embassies.

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However, as threats against her family escalated — including reports of people showing up at her home and workplace — Omotola said she had to shift away from street-level activism to strategic advocacy to protect her children. “When people started coming physically to my home and place of work to look for me, I knew I had to worry about other people and not just myself,” she said.

Omotola emphasized that, while she was willing to risk her own safety, she could not expose her children to danger. “I can’t control where they go, I can’t protect them as much, and I don’t want my children to become victims of choices that I have made,” she added.

The #EndSARS movement, which erupted in October 2020, saw millions of Nigerians protest against police brutality, extrajudicial killings, harassment, and extortion by SARS operatives. The protests gained global attention after alleged shootings at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos, a defining and controversial moment in Nigeria’s social activism history.

Despite the Federal Government’s decision to disband SARS and initiate reforms, many protester demands — including justice for victims, accountability for abuses, and comprehensive police reforms — remain unresolved years later. Human rights groups like Amnesty International have reported that some protesters continue to face detention or legal challenges, highlighting ongoing struggles in the fight against police brutality.

Omotola’s candid reflection underscores the lasting impact of #EndSARS on activists and illustrates how personal safety concerns can shape public advocacy strategies, even for high-profile figures. Her experience also reinforces the continued relevance of the movement in discussions about democracy, accountability, and civic activism in Nigeria.

How Death Threats During #EndSARS Made Me Rethink Activism – Omotola

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Nollywood Actress Fathia Balogun Mourns Mother a Day Before 55th Birthday

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Fathia Balogun

Nollywood Actress Fathia Balogun Mourns Mother a Day Before 55th Birthday

LAGOS — Veteran Nigerian actress Fathia Balogun is mourning the loss of her mother, who passed away just 24 hours before the actress’s 55th birthday celebration.

The news of her mother’s death was confirmed by family sources, who described the loss as a “devastating blow” to the actress and her family. The timing of the tragedy, coming a day before her milestone birthday, has left fans and colleagues in shock.

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Fathia Balogun, renowned for her contributions to Nollywood and Yoruba-language cinema, has shared moments of grief on social media, receiving an outpouring of condolences from fans, friends, and colleagues across the entertainment industry.

The actress, known for her resilience in both her personal and professional life, is expected to hold a private memorial in Lagos, as the family comes together to honour the life of her late mother.

Fans and well-wishers have taken to social media platforms to express sympathy, celebrate her mother’s life, and support Fathia during this difficult time.

Nollywood Actress Fathia Balogun Mourns Mother a Day Before 55th Birthday

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