ENTERTAINMENT

Judge Denies Request to Reconsider Meek Mill’s Prison Sentence

Published

7 years ago

April 3, 2018

FAB.NG

Justice Genece E. Brinkley, the Philadelphia judge who sentenced Meek Mill to prison over a parole violation, rejected requests from the rapper’s legal team to reconsider her decision and to recuse herself from the case over alleged personal biases. On Monday, Judge Brinkley said that Mill’s two-to-four-year sentence was “absolutely necessary.”
Brutally beaten by rogue cops, the jailed rapper has become a cause and, in an exclusive interview from prison, he speaks out and looks ahead

“[The] defendant received proper notice of all alleged probation violations in advance of his hearing,” Brinkley wrote in court documents. “The sentence imposed was not manifestly excessive and this Court stated sufficient reasons on the record to support a state sentence of 2 to 4 years.”

Meek first stood before Judge Brinkley about a decade ago after he was given five years’ probation due to drug and gun-related charges. Over the next several years, Brinkley adjudicated more cases involving the rapper. In 2012, one of her rulings revoked the rapper’s travel permit. She ordered him to take etiquette classes in May 2013, among other rulings. In August 2017, she charged Meek with a felony count of reckless endangerment – which was later dropped to a misdemeanor and dismissed – after he rode with a group of kids on dirt bikes in New York.

Meek’s probation officer and an assistant district attorney objected to the rapper’s most recent two-to-four-year sentence. The ruling also drew outrage from prominent figures within the entertainment industry. “The sentence handed down by the Judge – against the recommendation of the Assistant District Attorney and Probation Officer – is unjust and heavy handed,” Jay-Z wrote Facebook. “We will always stand by and support Meek Mill, both as he attempts to right this wrongful sentence and then in returning to his musical career.”

In late March, the rapper’s lawyer Joe Tacopina requested Brinkley’s removal from the case due to “unusual personal interest.” He alleged that the judge crossed numerous professional boundaries, including requesting Meek re-record the Boyz II Men song “On Bended Knee” as a “tribute to her” and asking the rapper to switch management companies.

“When she requests he leaves his current management Roc Nation – which is one of the most important management companies in the world – and goes back to a local Philadelphia guy who has a spotted past because she had a personal relationship with him as manager, again, she’s doing something that a judge would never be doing, having a personal interest,” Tacopina told Billboard last November.

Responding to the song request claims in her ruling, Brinkley wrote, “This bald allegation has no basis in reality. There is zero evidence to support this claim. The court has repeatedly told Defendant that he cannot demand special treatment just because he has chosen to be an entertainer.” She also accused Meek and his lawyers of “fabricating” claims that the FBI was investigating his case.

Brinkley’s decision arrives over two weeks after the Philadelphia District Attorney’s office said it was “unopposed” to releasing the rapper on bail. The following week, Pennsylvania governor Tom Wolf said in a statement that he supported releasing the rapper, who has been jailed since November for violating probation on a 2008 drug and gun conviction.

“I support D.A. Larry Krasner’s position in the case of Robert Williams (Meek Mill),” Wolf tweeted. “Our criminal justice system is in need of repair. That’s why my admin has made efforts to invest in programs that divert individuals from the system, improve public safety, and promote fairness.”

Tacopina criticized Brinkley’s ruling on Monday, continuing to accuse the judge of harboring a “personal vendetta” against his client. “In spite of the recommendations from the Philadelphia District Attorney’s office, which was supported by Governor Tom Wolf, the judge continues to stand alone in supporting Officer Reginald Graham’s perjured testimony as well as his criminal behavior that has been documented,” the attorney said in statement to the New York Daily News. “Fortunately, we have already filed petitions with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to secure his release, and we remain hopeful that the Court will right this injustice very soon.”

The rapper spoke against Judge Brinkley in a Rolling Stone profile last month. “There’s brothers locked down that did nothing to be here but piss off people like Brinkley,” the rapper said. One lawyer described her as a “sadist,” while another added, “Brinkley’s the judge you’d least want to be supervised by. Any failure to live by her rules will be punished.”

Rolling Stone

ENTERTAINMENT

Something About Nigeria Drains Your Excellence – Adekunle Gold

Published

9 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Reporter

Adekunle Gold on how Nigeria drains your excellence | fab.ng

Nigerian singer Adekunle Gold ignited widespread discussions online after openly expressing his frustrations with life in Nigeria.

On December 17, 2024, he took to X to share his thoughts, urging Nigerians to safeguard their passions. He emphasised that the challenges of living in Nigeria often leave people feeling emotionally and mentally drained.

He wrote,

“There’s just something about this place that drains your excellence. Striving for it here feels futile, as the environment pulls you down until you become just like everyone else. Whatever you do, guard your passion fiercely, be firm and never settle for less.”

There’s just something about this place that drains your excellence. Striving for it here feels futile, as the environment pulls you down until you become just like everyone else.

— BIG FISH 🦈 (@adekunleGOLD) December 17, 2024

The post resonated deeply with many Nigerians, prompting them to flood Adekunle Gold’s comment section with their opinions.

They shared personal stories and experiences, highlighting the challenges of living and pursuing success in Nigeria.

Read some of the comments below:

“Nigeria on a daily basis”

“They’ll tell you , speak positive things about Nigeria What is positive that I can’t enjoy as a citizen too? Is this the way we get treated outside? The place we call home isn’t feeling like home at all? Nothing works.”

“Well it’s the place we tap initial energy and renew strength. Diamond doesn’t do get excited in the fire. But it’s at best and it’s excellent on a pretty lady’s ring finger. That’s how I like to see this place. It’s not the best place to be but we’re usually better for it.”

“If AG with all his influence and connections dey feel am, no hope for you wey be regular man on the streets. You go kpai”

“If you way don attain some stage day complain,Wetin make we way never even know Wetin we wan do for our life day say. Just doing THIS and THAT,hopping from THIS to THAT, talent too choke confuse on what to base on while trying to ride safe. Omoooo”

“Naija tough gan and draining. Good things are happening for those who can’t but to join them.”

“AG, you gat the money, every available resources to leave the country. This country no be life we dey live inside so. Even rich people dey complain.. wetin person like me wan come talk? Naija failed US”

Check out more entertainment updates here.

ENTERTAINMENT

Toyosi Etim-Effiong Says She Doesn’t Trust Her Husband 100%

Published

10 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Reporter

Toyosi Etim-Effiong says she doesn't trust her husband 100 | fab.ng

Toyosi Etim-Effiong, the wife of Nigerian actor Daniel Etim-Effiong, recently stirred reactions by admitting that she does not completely trust her husband, even after seven years of marriage.

During the latest episode of her podcast, The Toyosi Podcast, where Daniel was invited as a guest, he directly asked her, “Do you trust me 100 percent after seven years of marriage?”

After carefully considering the question, Toyosi responded with a firm “No.” She emphasised that, although she trusts Daniel to remain committed to his vows, she also acknowledges that life is full of uncertainties and unpredictable circumstances.

Toyosi Etim-Effiong explained,

“Do I trust you a hundred percent? No, but I trust that you will always keep me in the loop. Maybe not ‘keep me in the loop. I’ve spent these years with you, I know you to a large extent and I’m getting to know you better. I think that you will do your absolute best to honour your vows and honour what we have. But I’m also aware that, I don’t want to say anything can happen, but things happen more or less. And I feel like if anything ever happens, I would know.”

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The clip from the episode quickly went viral, sparking diverse reactions from social media users. Some viewers agreed, saying they understood Toyosi’s perspective, while others criticised the couple for sharing such a private moment online.

An Instagram user voiced her understanding, saying, “Her response in the interview is deep. Her emotions, facial expressions, and thoughtful pauses, coupled with her careful choice of words, speak volumes. I sincerely wish them all the best.”

“You can never trust someone 💯, you can lie to yourself that you do but it’s not possible, if 💯 trust is attainable, there won’t be jealousy, there won’t be fear of losing that person… as long as you married someone with value, someone you know that other people would do anything to have because they are good both financially and character wise, you will always have that fear of losing them and that fear is as a result of lacking trust and it’s normal… you just have to control your fear and trust them at least 75% for the sake of your inner peace,” said another person.

Another person voiced their disapproval of the content: “There’s no reason why this should be content. I’m very much against this sort of marital content. You’ll harm yourselves but to each their own.”

“U want to make content and hustle with sensitive private content creation that could spin off and probably mess you up if care is not taken..a good discussion but strictly away from public eye….lets be calming down,” another person warned.

Check out more updates here.

ENTERTAINMENT

Comedian Bovi Criticises Nigerian Parents For Criminalising Dating Culture

Published

1 day ago

December 17, 2024

Reporter

Bovi faults Nigerian parents for criminalising dating culture | fab.ng

Popular Nigerian comedian Bovi openly shared his views on Nigeria’s restrictive dating culture, highlighting its impact on relationships and marriages in adulthood.

During a recent interview on The Honest Bunch Podcast, Bovi explained his perspective in detail. He said,

“Most parents don’t want to hear that their children have boyfriends but when they get to a certain age, they start asking them to bring their husbands home. From where? Children aren’t even allowed to date!

He added, “I said something one day on a TV and people were coming for me for saying that young children should be able to go on dates and all.”

@glitchafrica.studios Parenting in the 21st century featuring Comedian Bovi out now! Full video on YouTube Link in Bio. #thehonestbunchpodcast #officialbovi #neduwazobia #lagospodcast #viral #podcastclips #whattowatch #tiktoknigeria #fyp #podcasts #trending ♬ original sound – Glitchafrica Studios

The comedian explained how strict upbringings in many Nigerian households often prevent young people from experiencing the normal stages of dating.

He explained,

“Our parents didn’t encourage that behaviour so we used to hide our boyfriends and girlfriends from them. Do you know how many stages you jumped? You didn’t go to the cinema to see a movie harmlessly; you didn’t stroll on walks and write letters.”

Bovi humorously highlighted how parents tended to overreact to even the smallest signs of romance, saying, “If they saw us with love letters back then, they’d shout at us, and you’d wonder what you did because they raised an alarm.”

“We criminalise the dating culture for too long in Nigeria and now we’re complaining that marriages are breaking. Marriages are breaking because people have unfulfilled dreams of dating. There is the extent to which you’d date people, as a single man, that when you marry, you know you’re not missing anything because you’ve done it all,” he concluded.

Check out more updates here.