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Pastor TD Jakes denies gay s€x assault claims

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Megachurch pastor TD Jakes has denied allegations of sxual assault against two pastor brothers decades ago.  Jakes, 67, was first accused last year of targeting former pastor Duane Youngblood, 58, over 40 years ago, before his alleged victim’s older brother Richard Edwin Youngblood Sr., 62, filed his own allegations earlier this month.  According to Richard’s filing, the megachurch pastor preyed upon him years ago when they shared a hotel room during a ministry event, alleging similar conduct to his brother’s original filing.   20250220 202504 1740080523Richard He wrote in his affidavit: “(Jakes) secured a room with two beds in it, and we went to the room for the night. That night, while I was laying in my bed, I felt Elder Jakes climb into my bed.  “He pressed his body against mine and asked, ‘Youngblood, do you feel that?’ He was referencing his erection that he was pressing against my backside. “I got up out of bed in complete shock as he also [got] up from the opposite side and met me. He grabbed me by my arms and pulled me to him and started trying to kiss me. At this point, I cannot believe what is happening to me.” Jakes filed a defamation lawsuit against the brothers after they went public with their allegations, and in a response to a motion seeking to dismiss the defamation suit he denied the allegations.  He branded their lawsuits a “campaign of lies” and said the brothers were trying to extort $6 million from him, and insisted he has never “harbored carnal desires for these men.” Richard Youngblood’s lawsuit detailing his alleged experience in a hotel was filed to support his younger brother Duane’s original allegations, with several other men also making sworn affidavits to support Duane’s claims.  Duane Youngblood first came forward in October 2024 in interviews with Larry Reid, claiming Jakes assaulted him when he was 18 or 19-years-old.   20250220 202449 1740080621DuaneHe claimed that the attack came after he had been speaking with Jakes for around two hours at the home of an elderly female clergywoman, when Jakes then tried to kiss him.  The next morning, Youngblood claimed Jakes called his home and, while “sitting in a bathtub”, intimated that he wanted a relationship.  “He says to me, without any hesitation, ‘there’s three things I need you to do. The first one is, when I come to Pittsburgh, you’re going to be the only person I sleep with’,” Youngblood claimed to Reid.  “The second one is, you can’t sleep with anybody else because I don’t want to give my wife anything. And thirdly, I will take care of you the rest of your life.”  Days later, Jakes said Youngblood’s attorney sent him a letter demanding $6 million “to resolve this matter quickly and privately”, otherwise he would bring a lawsuit against Jakes for sxual assault and harassment, reports the Christian Post.  In response to Duane’s lawsuit, Jakes said the allegation was “not only ludicrous, it is a bald-faced lie.” “To be clear: while I occasionally travelled to Pennsylvania around 1986 to preach at area churches that were part of the Greater Emanuel International Fellowship network, I never tried to corner, grab, or kiss any teenagers,” Jakes wrote.  “I never phoned Duane Youngblood to proposition him for sx in exchange for financial support. And I never groomed, sxually abused, sxually assaulted, and engaged in predatory conduct of a sxual nature towards Duane Youngblood. I never apologized to Youngblood for any such conduct because it did not happen.” Duane claimed in the motion against Jakes’ defamation suit that since he came forward last year, he has been “receiving threats from individuals associated with Plaintiff, including his son.” Following the brothers’ lawsuits in recent months, Jakes fervently denied the allegations against him, and issued an eight-page affidavit in his response to the motion to dismiss his defamation lawsuit against them.  “I have reviewed the affidavits of Duane Youngblood and Richard Youngblood submitted in support of the motion to dismiss. The statements in these affidavits purport to describe situations where I harbored carnal desires for these men. These statements are knowingly and flagrantly false,” he wrote.  “I am reTuro247newz.comd by these defamatory accusations and the $6 million extortion letter I received from Duane Youngbloods attorney, Tyrone Blackburn.  “For years, I have been counseled to ignore the constant stream of low-level smears against my reputation.  “However, the emotional and physical toll of this coordinated campaign of lies, designed to damage my reputation and legacy, has become overwhelming.  “The pain it has caused my wife of 43 years and my five children, whom I have always loved, nurtured, and provided for, is simply too much to bear. Every person has a breaking point. I have reached mine. I authorized this lawsuit because I can no longer remain silent.” Jakes also said Richard was filing his claims because he was trying to get revenge for Jakes refusing to give him a job.  “He hasnt been able to maintain a job, he has multiple children with different women, and a felony conviction for failure to pay child support. Its difficult to respect a man who doesnt take care of his children,” Jakes said in his affidavit.  In all my years, I have never initiated a lawsuit against anyone. We filed this lawsuit against individuals who were supposed to be men of God but are clearly not.The post Pastor TD Jakes denies gay sx assault claims appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.


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'Opt out since your spirit already left' – Wike’s camp mocks Fubara

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The political crisis rocking Rivers State has taken another twist, as Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and New Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, ridiculed suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara following his latest public remarks.

Fubara, who was recently suspended from office alongside his deputy and members of the State House of Assembly by President Bola Tinubu, stated that he no longer felt any attachment to his position.

Speaking at a service of songs held in Port Harcourt for the late elder statesman Edwin Clark, Fubara said: “Can’t you see how better I look? Do you think I am interested in it? Do you even know if I want to go back there? My spirit had already left that place long ago.”

Wike’s camp taunts Fubara

The statement drew swift criticism from Wike’s camp.

In a post on X, Olayinka responded sarcastically, likening Fubara’s stance to a broken marriage.

“It is not really compulsory to stay in a marriage your spirit already left. Simply opt out legally,” he wrote.

Fubara’s suspension came after months of political infighting with Wike, his predecessor and current FCT Minister, over control of Rivers State’s political machinery.

The rift escalated to the point of near-violence, with threats by Niger Delta militants to attack oil facilities.

In an attempt to stabilise the situation, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers and installed retired naval chief Ibok-Ete Ibas as Sole Administrator.

The federal intervention marks a significant shift in the balance of power, leaving the future of Fubara’s political career uncertain amid growing tensions.


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Flight disrupted as Air Peace aircraft hits antelope on runway

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A domestic flight operated by Air Peace was abruptly halted on Saturday after the aircraft collided with a large antelope while taxiing on the runway at Asaba International Airport in Delta State. The impact caused significant damage to the plane, grounding it and resulting in flight delays for scheduled passengers.

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) confirmed the incident through its Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, in a post on social media platform, X. “Monitoring reports yesterday indicated that an Air Peace aircraft ran into a large antelope, decimating the animal and leaving the aircraft AOG (aircraft on ground),” he stated.

He explained that while the airline was not at fault in this particular disruption, it is still responsible for providing affected passengers with timely information, care, and, where necessary, refunds. “This explainer is for illustration purposes, not to excuse airlines when they fail to do their duties to passengers,” he noted.

As of press time, the airline had not issued a formal statement on the incident, but engineers are reportedly working to assess and repair the damage.

ALSO READ: It costs us over N14m to operate a one-hour flight, Air Peace

The occurrence comes just days after the NCAA advised Air Peace to reduce its operations in light of growing concerns over frequent delays and cancellations. While the regulator pointed to possible overextension, the airline attributed the disruptions to its commitment to safety rather than an aircraft shortage.

The incident has raised fresh concerns about runway safety and wildlife management at regional airports.

ALSO READ: Air Peace owner Onyema ranks Ekiti Airport among the best in the world


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20-ft container falls and crushes two dispatch riders to d3ath as Mack trucks collide on Eko Bridge

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Two dispatch riders have lost their lives after a 20-feet container fell on them following a crash involving two fully loaded Mack trucks on Eko Bridge inward Alaka in Lagos on Sunday, May 11.  The spokesperson of the Lagos State Transport Management Agency (LASTMA), Adebayo Taofiq, in a statement said that preliminary findings suggest that the driver of one of the articulated trucks, reportedly driving at an excessive speed while allegedly dozing off, lost control of the vehicle. He said that the truck then careened into another moving truck ahead of it, triggering a violent impact. This catastrophic collision, according to Taofiq, led to the dislodgement of a 20-foot container from one of the trucks, which subsequently crushed two unsuspecting dispatch riders. Both victims were confirmed d3ad at the scene According to Taofiq, the dispatch riders, with vehicle registration numbers T-10357 LA and KJA 107 XM were commuting on the axis when the accident happened. Preliminary findings suggest that the driver of one of the articulated trucks, reportedly driving at an excessive speed while allegedly dozing off, lost control of the vehicle, the statement read.  “The truck then careened into another moving trucks ahead of it, triggering a violent impact. “This collision led to the dislodgement of a 20-foot container from one of the trucks, which subsequently crushed two unsuspecting dispatch riders who were navigating the route at the time. Both victims were confirmed d3ad at the scene.”  Taofiq stated that LASTMA officers, who were monitoring traffic under the Eko Bridge, quickly responded to the incident and rescued a severely injured truck driver. He said the driver was rushed to a nearby hospital in a Lagos State Government ambulance for immediate medical care. The spokesperson noted that two truck drivers fled the scene, likely due to fear of consequences, and investigations are ongoing to track and apprehend them.  He said the affected area has been cordoned by LASTMA and has redirected traffic through Coastain Roundabout to prevent further incidents and ensure road safety. LASTMAs General Manager, Bakare-Oki, condoled with the families affected by the tragic incident, expressing profound sorrow over the loss of lives.  He also emphasised the importance of responsible driving, especially for articulated vehicle operators, and urged all drivers to exercise caution, stay alert, and ensure their vehicles are roadworthy before embarking on any journey. The post 20-ft container falls and crushes two dispatch riders to d3ath as Mack trucks collide on Eko Bridge appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.


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