BIG STORY

BREAKING: R. Kelly Bags 30 Years Jail Term Over Sex Abuse

Published

2 years ago

June 29, 2022

US singer R. Kelly has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for using his status to run a scheme to sexually abuse children and women.

In September, a jury in New York convicted the R&B artist, 55, of racketeering and sex trafficking crimes.

The Chicago native – whose real name is Robert Sylvester Kelly – was also fined $100,000 (£82,525).

He currently faces separate criminal charges in three other cases.

Kelly – known for hit songs like I Believe I Can Fly and Ignition – was found to have used his celebrity status and sphere of influence to lure women and children into sexual abuse over two decades.

At his sentencing on Wednesday, US District Judge Ann Donnelly said the celebrity had used sex as a weapon, forcing his victims to do unspeakable things and saddling them with incurable diseases.

The sentence, she said, would act as a deterrent from committing similar crimes in the future.

Jurors at Kelly’s six-week trial in Brooklyn heard how he trafficked women between different US states, assisted by managers, security guards and other members of his entourage.

The court also heard how Kelly had illegally obtained paperwork to marry singer Aaliyah when she was 15 in 1994, seven years before the singer died in a plane crash.

The certificate, leaked at the time, listed Aaliyah’s age as 18. The marriage was annulled months later.

Federal prosecutors had recommended that Kelly be sentenced to more than 25 years in prison, given the seriousness of his crimes and “the need to protect the public from further crimes”.

But his lawyers called for a sentence of 10 years – the mandatory minimum for his conviction – or less.

They portrayed Kelly as growing up poor in a household rife with domestic violence and suffering sexual abuse from a young age.

Credit: BBC News

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BIG STORY

JUST IN: Education Minister Reverses 18-Year Age Limit For Admission

Published

8 hours ago

November 5, 2024

PorscheClassy News

The newly appointed Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has announced the removal of the 18-year age limit for admission into tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

He also indicated the possibility of a comprehensive review of the nation’s education policy.

However, Alausa made it clear that there would be no reversal of the Federal Government’s decision to invalidate over 22,700 degree certificates acquired by Nigerians from unrecognized universities in neighboring Togo and the Benin Republic.

Speaking at his inaugural ministerial press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, Alausa emphasized that practical education is key to tackling Nigeria’s unemployment crisis. He stated that tertiary institutions must stop producing graduates without ensuring job opportunities for them.

The minister also revealed plans for the federal government to partner with private sector players to provide training opportunities for students and help them realize their full potential.

Additionally, Alausa announced that universities focused on agriculture would be empowered to implement commercial farming practices as part of efforts to address the country’s food security challenges.

More to come…

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BIG STORY

JUST IN: 114 Released #EndBadGovernance Protesters Arrive Presidential Villa

Published

9 hours ago

November 5, 2024

PorscheClassy News

One hundred and fourteen #EndBadGovernance protesters, including minors and adults acquitted by the Federal High Court in Abuja, have arrived at the Presidential Villa.

The protesters, initially arraigned by the Police Force, were released following a court ruling by Justice Obiora Egwatu.

The case was dismissed at the request of the Attorney General of the Federation (“AGF”), Lateef Fagbemi.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is set to officially receive the released protesters.

They are then handed over to their respective Governors, specifically Uba Sani of Kaduna and Abba Yusuf of Kano.

Ministers present at the State House Auditorium in Abuja for the reception include: Tunji Alausa (“Minister of Education”); Nentawe Yilwatda (“Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction”); Balarabe Lawal (“Minister of Environment”) and Tanko Sununu (“Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction”).

Also, Senior Special Assistant on Community Engagement for the Northwest, Abdullahi Yakasai, is in attendance.

Other dignitaries present are Deputy Senate President Jubrin Barau and Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, Abubakar Bichi.

More to come…

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