Nicki Minaj’s Brother Appears In Court for First Time After He Was Charged With Raping a 12-Year-Old Multiple Times

The brother of rapper Nicki Minaj appeared in court on Wednesday for a preliminary hearing on rape charges.

Jelani Maraj, 37, was accompanied by his mother Carol and lawyer Andrea Zellan for the hearing to set a schedule for his upcoming trial.

Jelani is accused of raping a 12-year-old on multiple occasions.

Minaj did not appear with her mother and brother at the Nassau County courthouse in Mineola, New York, but she did post bail for her Jelani last week.

Minaj did not appear with her mother and brother at the Nassau County courthouse in Mineola, New York, but she did post bail for her Jelani last week.

Jelani had claimed he was suffering medical issues after being arrested on December 3, and was arraigned from a hospital bed.

The name and gender of the victim is being withheld due to the nature of the crime and the fact that the individual is a minor.  Jelani is charged with first-degree rape and first-degree sexual conduct against the preteen.  Each charge carries a sentence of nine to 25 years in prison.

Both Jelani and Minaj were born in Trinidad, but raised in New York City.