Lagos Governor Sanwo-Olu’s 60th Birthday DJ, Tim Westwood, Charged with Four Counts of Rape

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is facing growing backlash and accusations of poor judgment after UK DJ Tim Westwood reportedly performed at his 60th birthday luncheon. The Governor, who marked this milestone on June 25 with a series of high-profile events, including a thanksgiving service and a much-publicised charity outreach, now finds his administration under scrutiny for associating with a figure currently facing serious criminal charges in the United Kingdom.

Westwood, a former BBC Radio 1 and Capital Xtra presenter, shared on Instagram that he was honoured to DJ at the Governor’s luncheon, held at Isimi Lagos in Epe.

Tim Westwood, 68, has been formally charged by the UK Metropolitan Police with four counts of rape, nine counts of indecent assault, and two counts of sexual assault, involving seven women over a period spanning 1983 to 2016. The charges include the alleged indecent assault of a 17-year-old girl in 1983 and multiple alleged rapes and assaults involving victims aged 17 to 18 in the 1990s and 2000s. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) determined that sufficient evidence exists to proceed to trial. Westwood, who denies all allegations, is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on November 10.

The Governor’s decision to feature Westwood during a celebration that emphasised compassion and charity has been widely condemned as tone-deaf and contradictory. The birthday activities included cash and food donations to over 100 orphanages and care homes across Lagos, institutions that support children with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and those who have been abandoned or neglected. Pairing such humanitarian acts with the public appearance of a man accused of multiple sexual crimes, including those involving minors, neglects the moral credibility of the event.

Westwood’s appearance has also reignited broader concerns about Nigeria’s immigration and vetting systems. After facing mounting allegations of sexual misconduct in the UK, Westwood reportedly relocated to Nigeria, where he has attempted to rebrand himself, including working as a chef in Lagos. His continued visibility and participation in elite social events, such as the Governor’s luncheon, have raised alarm over the country’s apparent failure to screen high-profile foreigners with serious criminal allegations.

Citizens call for tighter collaboration between Nigerian authorities and international law enforcement agencies to prevent individuals with pending criminal cases abroad from gaining entry and prominence locally.

West Africa Weekly previously reported that Westwood was scheduled to perform at Oniru Private Beach, underscoring his sustained access to Nigeria’s entertainment and political elite. His invitation to a state event celebrating the Lagos Governor’s 60th birthday has now amplified concerns that Nigeria is becoming a haven for individuals facing prosecution overseas. This troubling trend threatens both the country’s image and its moral credibility.

About The Author

West Africa Weekly

author

See author's posts