Students at the University of Ghana have expressed their discontent over the recent revelation that Sean “Diddy” Combs requested a presidential pardon from US President Donald Trump.
During a White House event, Trump announced that Diddy, who was recently sentenced to over four years in prison for human trafficking and prostitution, had requested a presidential pardon.
He later revealed in an interview with Finnerty Exclusive that he was unlikely to grant Combs a pardon due to their complicated past.
“I was very friendly with him. I got along with him great, and he seemed like a nice guy. I didn’t know him well. But when I ran for office, he was very hostile, and it’s hard—we’re human beings. We don’t like to have things cloud our judgment, right?”
Following Trump’s statement, students at the University of Ghana expressed their wish for the musician to be sanctioned by the law and not to evade his punishment.
One student remarked that the musician deserves more time in prison for his crimes.
“So, from what Diddy has done, the pardon or the petition he is requesting should not be granted because every piece of evidence points to the fact that he has committed such crimes. I feel he deserves his full sentence, and even more.”
Another student echoed the sentiment, saying a pardon wouldn’t be fair to his victims.
“P. Diddy shouldn’t receive a presidential pardon from Donald Trump. P. Diddy going for a presidential pardon would not be fair to the people he has traumatised. Equal verdicts should be meted out to him, just as would be done to a regular U.S. citizen.”
Others also believed that granting the musician a pardon would weaken the concept of accountability.
“I don’t think Diddy deserves a pardon because the crimes he was convicted of are very serious, and granting him one would weaken the idea of accountability. He has committed a crime, so he needs to face the consequences—and that will even deter others.”
The “Diddy” trial continues to expose the realities of high-profile individuals involved in crime and how the law deals with such cases. Would reputation preside over justice in the future? Only time will tell.
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Story by Bryan Denzel Aryeetey | univers.edu.gh
Edited by Anita Azawodie
