TIM WESTWOOD FACES RAPE, SEXUAL ASSAULT CHARGES AFTER LIVING HIGH-PROFILE LIFE IN LAGOS
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Agency Report
In the bustling heart of Lagos, where Afrobeats rhythms collide with global hip-hop under bright lights and state-backed events, British DJ Tim Westwood, 68, appeared to have found a second home. The former BBC Radio 1 icon once a tastemaker in the UK’s urban music scene was a familiar face at Nigerian carnivals, beach parties, and celebrity events. But his glamorous Lagos chapter has come to an abrupt end.
Westwood is now facing multiple rape and sexual assault charges brought by London’s Metropolitan Police, following decades of alleged abuse.
According to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), the charges span from 1983 to 2016, covering periods when Westwood was one of the most influential figures in British radio, hosting shows on BBC Radio 1 and Capital Xtra that introduced audiences to global stars like Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg, and Nigerian artists Wizkid and D’Banj.
The alleged offences include rapes and sexual assaults involving women and girls as young as 17. Westwood, who has denied all allegations, is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on November 11.
The CPS detailed that between 1995 and 1996, Westwood allegedly raped a teenager in London. Between 2000 and 2001, another girl, aged 17 to 18, was allegedly raped and indecently assaulted. In 2010, two women in their 20s accused him of rape and sexual assault in London and Stroud, while another assault allegedly occurred in 2016 in Finchley, north London.
The case follows a 2022 BBC and Guardian investigation that revealed claims from 18 women accusing Westwood of sexual misconduct spanning from 1992 to 2017.
Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy of the Metropolitan Police praised the courage of survivors who came forward and urged others to do the same.
In February 2025, the BBC Board issued a public apology for “missed opportunities” to address Westwood’s misconduct, acknowledging a “considerable body of evidence” it had failed to act upon during his tenure.
FROM LONDON TO LAGOS
As investigations intensified in the UK, Westwood reportedly relocated to Africa, first to Ghana and later to Nigeria. West Africa Weekly reported that he left Britain in 2022, and by 2024, he had become a fixture in Lagos’ nightlife and entertainment scene.
Between January and April 2024, videos showed Westwood living in an upscale Lagos residence, promoting himself as a “food influencer” with playful TikTok videos of himself cooking Nigerian dishes like okra soup and chicken stew.
He soon returned to the decks headlining events such as the Oniru Private Beach party in April 2024 and performing at a Lagos Island carnival that December. Footage from the carnival showed him hyping the crowd with a blend of Burna Boy and Drake tracks.
Westwood even claimed to have DJed at Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s 60th birthday celebration at Isimi Lagos, Epe, writing in a since-deleted Instagram post: “Honoured to DJ at your 60th birthday luncheon.”
By early 2025, he was performing across Nigeria, including in Oyo State and at major industry nights in Lagos. In September 2025, he was listed as host of the NPL S8 Grand Finals esports event in Oregun, Lagos.
As his public presence grew, some Nigerians began questioning his acceptance by event organizers despite the long-standing allegations against him.
On X (formerly Twitter), user Michael Morgan (@mikecmorgan) wrote, “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 user, Ronke Lawal (@ronkelawal), added, “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, following Thursday’s announcement of formal charges, Westwood’s social media accounts which had been filled with Lagos event promotions and shoutouts went silent.
For now, the once-celebrated DJ who built a career bridging UK hip-hop and African beats faces a reckoning that may define the final chapter of his storied but controversial career.
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