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Bishop TD Jakes sues Pastor Youngblood over sexual abuse allegations days after medical attack

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US televangelist, Bishop T.D. Jakes has filed a defamation lawsuit Monday against a fellow minister, Duane Youngblood, who has accused him of attempted sexual assault.

The suit was filed after Jakes on Sunday suffered a medical attack at his Dallas megachurch.

Duane Youngblood, 57, a Pennsylvania man who Jakes’ suit notes is on parole after felony convictions for sexual assault and corruption of minors, made the allegations in two recent appearances on the “Larry Reid Live” YouTube talk show. “The Abused Become the Abuser” episodes. Youngblood’s claims went viral.

The suit says a lawyer claiming to represent Youngblood sent Jakes a Nov. 15 letter demanding $6 million from Jakes after the episodes aired.

The suit, which includes denials by Jakes’ legal team of Youngblood’s accusations that Jakes tried to groom and sexually abuse him, was filed the day after Jakes was viewed at his Sunday service having an unspecified medical problem.

In the midst of a prayer after preaching at The Potter’s House, Jakes is seen lowering his mic and shaking in the chair where he was seated. About a dozen people ran to his side and congregants stretched out their hands toward him as they began praying for him.

On Wednesday, a video of Jakes appearing to be departing a Dallas medical facility, was posted on social media accounts of The Potter’s House with a statement from him about his plans to rest after an episode that “could’ve been fatal if it weren’t for God’s intervention.”

“Didn’t have to turn out this way. Just grateful. Not afraid to die. Don’t want to hurt my kids and the people who love me, the church who needs me, the world who called me, the God who sent me,” Jakes said in the video.

The legal team for Jakes, 67, an author, evangelist and business executive, told the New York Post earlier that he is recuperating from the weekend medical incident and continuing to undergo testing after experts determined he did not have a stroke.

“At the conclusion of yesterday’s service, after ministering for nearly an hour and a half, Bishop Jakes experienced a moment that brought him face-to-face with his own humanity,” the team said.

“He is doing well and remains under medical supervision. Medical professionals have ruled out a stroke, but continue testing.”

In the Oct. 28 YouTube interview, Youngblood described himself as someone who was recently released from prison after violating his parole and as a person who was abused by other ministers. He alleged that as a teenager he ended a long discussion with Jakes in a private home after Jakes had preached at the church of the homeowner.

“When I started to walk past him, he pulled me to himself, wrapped his arms around me, and tried to kiss me,” Youngblood alleged on the show and was quoted in the lawsuit.

Youngblood claimed Jakes called him the next day, from a bathtub, with a three-point plan.

“He says to me, without any hesitation, ‘There’s three things I need you to do,’” Youngblood alleged on the October show that Jakes told him. “‘The first one is, when I come to Pittsburgh you’re going to be the only person I sleep with. 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.’”

Jakes’ lawsuit denies all Youngblood’s accusations and makes a direct link between Jakes’ medical state and Youngblood’s allegations, which Jakes’ suit calls “false and defamatory” and “as damaging and damning as anyone can make about a prominent pastor and spiritual leader.”

“Youngblood’s intentional and malicious lies have taken a substantial emotional and physical toll on Bishop Jakes,”reads the suit. “On November 24—the day before he filed this action—Bishop Jakes suffered a medical crisis on stage in the middle of his Sunday service in front of his entire church.”

The complaint also argues that Youngblood’s accusations create a setback for those with true abuse claims.

“Bishop Jakes believes with all his heart that actual victims of sexual abuse should be treated with the utmost respect, kindness, empathy, and sympathy—and that true perpetrators of such abuse should be held accountable for their actions,” the suit continues. “But that is not the case here.”

The suit also claims Youngblood changed his story about his age when the alleged events occurred, saying in the demand letter that he might have been 17 when on the show he suggested his age would have been 18 or 19.

And the suit describes Youngblood reiterating on a Nov. 3 interview with Reid some allegations he stated days before in the first interview, including that, when he allegedly confronted Jakes years later and asked Jakes the reason for the alleged abuse, “Bishop Jakes told me the reason he did this and said this to me was because his stock was rising and he would have slept with anybody.”

Jakes also has been the subject of allegations of sexual misconduct, including at parties hosted by hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, which have put Jakes in headlines.

 

 

 

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Generator fumes suspected for death of UNN students

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Strong indications has emerged that the use of a generator in a poorly ventilated environment may have caused the death of some students of the University of Nigeria, Nssuka.

The suspicion emerged after a survivor of the incident disclosed that a generator was operating outside the corridor of the apartment where they gathered, while the doors and windows remained shut.

According to the 24-year-old survivor, an Art Education student, about 10 people attended the party organised by his friend, David, to celebrate the completion of his final examinations.

The gathering reportedly started around 11:30 a.m. at the host’s residence in the Hilltop area of Nsukka, with participants sharing alcoholic drinks and playing Truth or Dare.
Recounting his experience, the survivor said he suddenly lost consciousness after helping one of the participants who had vomited and returning to clean the floor.

He disclosed that his legs had become stiff and he could no longer walk before eventually passing out. The student said he regained consciousness at about 9 p.m., only to discover that his friends were lying motionless on the floor.

“When I regained consciousness at about 9 p.m., I heard someone saying that the host was shaking. I woke up and managed to look into the parlour, where I saw the host and other participants lying on the floor,” he recounted.

He said he subsequently contacted friends for assistance, before one of them eventually helped convey the affected students to Bishop Shanahan Hospital and other medical facilities in Nsukka.

The survivor further explained that the apartment was poorly ventilated, with the doors and windows shut, while a generator was running outside in the corridor. A fan was also operating inside the room.

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Speed Darlington begs Burna Boy to drop case

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Nigerian singer, Darlington Okoye popularly known as Speed Darlington, has apologised to Grammy-winning musician, Damini Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, asking him to withdraw the charges against him and promising to stop making comments about his sexuality.

Speed Darlington made the appeal in a video posted on his Instagram page on Thursday, in which he expressed regret over the pain and embarrassment he might have caused the singer.

“This video is for Burna Boy. Burna, this is an apology video. I apologise for any pain that I have caused you. Any shame that I have caused you,” he said.

The singer admitted that he was wrong to assume that everyone had the same temperament, adding that he wanted an end to their disagreement.

“I made the mistake of thinking that everybody vibrates at the same frequency. That’s wrong of me. I apologise, Burna Boy,” he added.

He further pledged to refrain from making both direct and indirect comments about Burna Boy’s sexuality, making the withdrawal of the charges a condition for his promise.

“I give you my word that if you withdraw all charges and let everything die, I give you my word that I will never make any direct comment regarding your sexuality. “Even indirect comment. I will no longer try sustain. I give you my word. Let peace reign,” he said.

Speed Darlington also promised not to mention the singer’s name again if the legal dispute was resolved.

“I promise I will never use my mouth to mention your name,” he added.

 

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Why I left Peter Obi- Yinusa Tanko

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Yinusa Tanko, former national coordinator of the Obidient Movement, says he experienced a betrayal of trust and loyalty in Peter Obi’s camp, which led to his exit from the movement.

Tanko spoke on Thursday shortly after his unveiling as the coordinator of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential campaign council.

Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Party (NDP), appointed Tanko as national coordinator of the Obidient Movement in September 2024, following a consensus to zone the position to the north.

He was later redeployed as Obi’s political adviser (north), a position he held until October 30, when he resigned.

However, Tanko said he never wanted to leave Obi’s camp, insisting that he was pushed out rather than choosing to exit the movement.

Tanko said although he appreciated the opportunity to serve Obi, he could not remain in a political group where his contributions were no longer valued.

“Well, you know, as you move along in politics, there may be a time when your group does not want you, does not need you or does not appreciate what you do,” he said.

“You don’t stay where you are being tolerated; you go where you are appreciated.

“As far as I’m concerned, I appreciate all the work I have done, and I appreciate him for giving me the opportunity. But the only thing I have suffered in that particular movement is betrayal of trust and betrayal of loyalty.”

Tanko said he served the former Anambra governor with diligence, honesty and integrity, adding that he still held him in high regard despite the circumstances surrounding his departure.

“Everybody knows that I have served with diligence, determination, honesty and integrity. That was how I served Peter Obi, and I continue to respect him,” he said.

“But now, since they don’t want me, people who appreciate me have picked me from the dustbin and made me a bride.”

Asked whether Obi would be pleased to see him in another political party, Tanko said he could not determine what was on the former governor’s mind.

“You cannot say what is on his mind; only he can speak for himself,” he said.

He added that his new political associates had recognised his contributions to nation-building and offered him another opportunity to serve.

 

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