News

British DJ’s Lagos High Life Ends Amid Rape Charges

Published

3 months ago

October 11, 2025

In the pulsating heart of Lagos, where Afrobeats rhythms collide with global hip-hop beats under neon lights and government-backed spectacles, British Disk Jockey, Tim Westwood, has long found a second act.

The 68-year-old former BBC Radio 1 icon, once a kingmaker in the United Kingdom’s urban music scene, has been spinning records at high-profile events and rubbing shoulders with Nigerian superstars, even appearing at state-sponsored carnivals.

But that glamorous exile has now ended.

Westwood faces charges of rape, alongside counts of indecent and sexual assaults.

The charges were brought by London’s Metropolitan Police in a case spanning decades of alleged abuse.

According to the Crown Prosecution Service, the charges relate to incidents that allegedly occurred between 1983 and 2016, when Westwood was at the height of his career hosting shows on BBC Radio 1 and Capital Xtra.

READ ALSO:

Those shows introduced British audiences to artists such as Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg, and Nigerian stars Wizkid and D’Banj during their rise to fame.

His alleged victims include girls as young as 17, according to earlier investigations by the BBC and The Guardian, which first aired the claims in 2022.

Westwood, who has consistently denied the allegations, calling them “false,” is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on November 11.

The allegations

Between 1995 and 1996, Westwood allegedly raped the first teenager in London.

Between 2000 and 2001, another female, aged between 17 and 18, was allegedly raped and indecently assaulted in London.

In 2010, a woman in her 20s was allegedly raped by the suspect in London, while another woman, also in her 20s, was allegedly sexually assaulted in Stroud.

In 2016, a woman in her 20s was allegedly sexually assaulted in the Finchley area of London.

READ ALSO:

In 2022, a report revealed that 18 women had accused Westwood of behaving in a sexually inappropriate manner, including unwanted touching, in incidents said to have occurred between 1992 and 2017.

Meanwhile, Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy of the Metropolitan Police called for more witnesses to come forward, saying, “It takes courage to come forward and report allegations of this nature.”

BBC apologies

In February 2025, the BBC Board apologised over “missed opportunities” to tackle “bullying and misogynistic behaviour” by the former employee.

The broadcaster said it became aware of Westwood’s conduct after it was published by an independent outlet, which highlighted a series of incidents and allegations that amounted to a “considerable body of evidence” the BBC failed to investigate properly.

“The board also wants to take this opportunity to apologise on behalf of the entire BBC to anyone impacted by what the review has found,” it added in a statement.

While the UK justice system was closing in on the celebrity DJ, Westwood crossed over to Africa.

An online medium, West Africa Weekly, reported that he left the UK for Ghana, as seen in a 2022 post he shared on social media.

READ ALSO:

He later moved to Lagos, where he began headlining gigs that blended his old-school hip-hop flair with Afrobeats energy.

Between January and April 2024, he was seen in an upscale Lagos residence overlooking a private pool, trading turntables for TikTok tutorials on okra soup and chicken stew—a bizarre rebrand as a “food influencer” that some observers saw as a cynical bid to launder his image.

Videos showed him chopping onions with theatrical flair, captioned with hashtags like #NigerianCuisine.

In April 2024, posters announced his performance at the Oniru Private Beach, Victoria Island.

By December 2024, Westwood took the stage at a Lagos Island carnival, sharing the news on his now-inactive Instagram page.

Footage from the carnival captured him, baseball cap tilted low, hyping the crowd with mixes of Burna Boy and Drake.

He also claimed, in another Instagram post, to have performed at the 60th birthday celebration of Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

READ ALSO:

Sharing a photo of himself shaking hands with the governor, Westwood wrote, “Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governor of Lagos State, honoured to DJ at your 60th birthday luncheon at Isimi Lagos, Epe.”

In February 2025, the BBC reported that he held a gig in Oyo State.

By April 2025, he was spotted at industry nights, clubs, and events, and even hosted a live session with a local drill artist.

In September 2025, posters advertised him as host of the NPL S8 Grand Finals esports event in Oregun, Lagos.

Amid his constant public appearances, some Nigerians began to question his participation in local events.

An X user, Michael Morgan (@mikecmorgan), who expressed concern, tweeted, “Tim Westwood has been interviewed four times under police caution after sexual misconduct allegations. Concerned, I called the promoter, who confirmed this event is taking place. He seemed annoyed when I pressed him to answer some obvious questions and slammed the phone down.”

Another Nigerian, Ronke Lawal (@ronkelawal), wrote on August 20, 2025, “The way Tim Westwood has found refuge in Nigeria and continues to be embraced by Nigerians is actually disgusting. They value proximity to fame more than morals.”

However, as news of the formal charges against him rippled across social media on Thursday, his presence in Lagos gained serious public attention and was subject of debate.

Westwood’s social media accounts, once buzzing with Lagos shoutouts, suddenly went dark hours after the charges were announced.

News

NAF Launches Attack On Terrorists In Borno

Published

2 days ago

January 10, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Air Force, NAF, operating as part of the joint task force of Operation Hadin Kai, has carried out a coordinated air interdiction at AbbagaJiri in the Timbuktu Triangle, Borno State.

According to Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information of NAF, the air strikes successfully paved the way for ground troops.

He explained that the operation was based on actionable intelligence from multiple sources, which confirmed the presence of terrorists, their structures, and concealed logistics facilities in the area.

Ejodame stated that NAF air assets were deployed in integrated surveillance and precision strike roles to target identified threats.

The operation aimed to degrade terrorist capabilities, deny them sanctuary, and shape the battlefield for ground forces, all while strictly adhering to rules of engagement and protecting civilians.

He added, “The Identified terrorist structures were decisively engaged and destroyed, denying the terrorists freedom of action, while a follow-up engagement neutralised armed elements observed converging on the location.”

“Subsequent advances by ground troops into the area confirmed the effectiveness of the air strikes and validated the success of the joint air–land operation.”

Speaking on the mission, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, said, “The success of the mission reflects the NAF’s resolve to dominate the air domain in support of joint operations.”

Aneke further emphasized that the operation highlighted the service’s commitment to providing precise and decisive air power in support of ground forces.

In his words, “We will continue to deny terrorists freedom of movement, sanctuary, and logistics wherever they seek to hide. Air operations will remain relentless and intelligence-driven.”

“Our operations are carefully planned and intelligence-led, ensuring maximum effect on hostile elements while safeguarding innocent civilians.”

“The Nigerian Air Force will sustain pressure until terrorist networks are completely dismantled.”

He further noted that the operation showcased NAF’s aggressive stance, precision employment of airpower, and dedication to sustained joint operations.

Aneke added that such missions play a crucial role in enabling ground troops to maintain momentum and deliver decisive outcomes against terrorist networks threatening lives, property, and Nigeria’s national security.

News

Lagos Parks To Close For Maintenance – State Govt

Published

2 days ago

January 10, 2026

Editor

The Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency, LASPARK, has announced that all public parks under its management across the state will be temporarily closed for routine maintenance and upgrades.

In a statement released on January 9 and shared via its official platforms early Saturday, LASPARK said, “All parks under our management will be closed to the public from January 12 to January 31, 2026.

“This follows increased visitor activity during the recent festive season.”

The agency listed several popular recreational spots that will be affected, including “Ndubisi Kanu Park, Alausa JJT Park, Dr. Finnih Abayomi Park in Oregun, and all other LASPARK-managed parks across Lagos State.”

READ ALSO:

Explaining the reason for the closure, LASPARK added, “The temporary shutdown is necessary to carry out essential landscaping, facility repairs, and general upgrades to ensure that our parks remain safe, clean, and enjoyable for residents and visitors.”

The agency also stressed that the exercise aligns with its broader mandate, noting, “This maintenance programme is part of our commitment to providing well-maintained green spaces that promote relaxation, wellness, and environmental sustainability.”

LASPARK assured residents that “all parks will reopen at the end of the maintenance period.”

News

PAP Sends Additional 34 Foreign Post-graduate Scholarship Beneficiaries To UK Varsities

Published

2 days ago

January 9, 2026

Editor

The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has deployed an additional 34 foreign post-graduate scholarship beneficiaries to various universities in the United Kingdom for the 2025-2026 academic year.

This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Warri by Mr Igoniko Oduma, Special Assistant on Media to Dr. Dennis Otuaro, the Administrator, PAP.

According to the statement, the scholars’ programmes include data science, fintech analytics, cyber security, international energy law and policy, construction project management, public health, agri-food technology, electrical and petroleum engineering, among others.

The statement added that more foreign post-graduate scholars will be sent to UK universities in the current academic session.

“In December 2025, nine students, who were the first set of offshore post-graduate scholarship developments by the PAP Administrator, Dr Dennis Otuaro, for the 2024-2025 academic year, graduated from their various programmes in UK universities.

“Otuaro has deployed over 9000 students to universities within and outside Nigeria for different industry-relevant programmes since he assumed office in March 2024,” the statement partly reads.

Speaking at the pre-departure orientation programme for the scholars at the PAP headquarters in Abuja, on Thursday, Otuaro said that the large-scale deployment was aimed at making the Niger Delta a knowledge-driven region.

He said that his leadership reinvigorated the programme to give it a new momentum in service delivery to the people of the region based on the mandate of President Bola Tinubu.

Otuaro said, “We are sending all of you for post-graduate studies in various universities in the United Kingdom.

“The PAP now has a new momentum and direction because of the repositioning and broad reforms that we carried out in line with the mandate of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.

“The objective behind the huge scholarships deployment is to ensure that we develop the needed human capital to transform the Niger Delta and generate knowledge-wealth.

“We want to develop relevant manpower in critical disciplines for our region and by extension, the country, because you are expected to contribute your quota to national development after successful graduation.”

The PAP boss, who was represented at the event by his Technical Assistant, Mr Edgar Biu, advised the scholars to study hard to achieve academic excellence in their various fields of research.

According to him, the scholars have an obligation to justify the Federal Government’s investment in their education and future.

He reiterated his warning that beneficiaries should not take for granted the opportunity to further their academic pursuits in the interest of the Niger Delta and indeed the country.

Otuaro expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for his “enormous interest and support for the Programme”, particularly the approval of an upward review of the programme’s budget from N65billion to N150billion.

He also expressed gratitude to the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for his impeccable guidance and supervision of the programme’s initiatives.

Otuaro, therefore, cautioned the scholars to obey their host country’s laws and the rules and regulations of their various institutions, stressing that they are ambassadors of Nigeria, the Niger Delta and their communities and families.

Highpoint of the orientation programme was the presentation of laptops to the scholars to help them in their studies.