society
Yes, We (Africans) Seek Justice Without Borders
Yes, We (Africans) Seek Justice Without Borders.
By George O. Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com
“Why Africa Must Lead the Call for Universal Accountability.”
On September 30, 2025, a military court in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, sentenced former president Joseph Kabila to death in absentia for treason and war crimes. This ruling sent shockwaves across Africa and the world, as Kabila, who ruled the DRC from 2001 to 2019, has long been accused of profiting from Congo’s bloody resource wars, overseeing massacres and entrenching corruption that left millions dead or displaced. For many Congolese victims, the ruling was a delayed but symbolic form of justice. Yet, it also raises a much larger and uncomfortable question: why is justice so often selective? Why are African leaders punished while Western leaders who committed atrocities walk freely?
The world cannot applaud Kabila’s sentence and simultaneously ignore the crimes of those whose decisions destroyed nations, unleashed wars and killed millions outside Africa. If justice is to be meaningful, it must be universal, not geographical.
Selective Justice: The African Dilemma.
Across Africa, leaders like Charles Taylor of Liberia and Hissène Habré of Chad have faced justice. Taylor is serving 50 years in a British prison for aiding war crimes in Sierra Leone. Habré died in prison after being convicted for atrocities in Chad. Omar al-Bashir of Sudan was indicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for genocide in Darfur. Now, Kabila has been sentenced in the DRC.
On one hand, these trials prove that impunity is no longer absolute. On the other, they reveal a painful hypocrisy: the wheels of international justice grind fastest when the accused is African.
When the International Criminal Court (ICC) was established in 2002, it was hailed as the dawn of global justice. Yet in over two decades, almost all of its prosecutions have been against Africans. Meanwhile, leaders from powerful nations who launched illegal wars, bombed civilians or backed occupations have never faced an indictment. Justice, it seems, has a passport and it is not African.
The Crimes of the Powerful: Bush, Blair, Netanyahu.
Consider George W. Bush and Tony Blair, who in 2003 launched the Iraq War on false claims of weapons of mass destruction. The invasion caused the deaths of over 500,000 Iraqis (according to Brown University’s Costs of War project), displaced millions and destabilized the entire Middle East. The war was not sanctioned by the UN, making it a clear violation of international law. Yet Bush now paints portraits in Texas and Blair collects speaking fees, while Iraq lies shattered.
Or take Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s long-serving prime minister. Under his watch, Israeli forces have overseen repeated bombardments of Gaza, including the current campaign in which thousands of Palestinian civilians have been killed. The UN and human rights organizations have repeatedly accused Israel of disproportionate force, collective punishment and potential war crimes. Yet Netanyahu is not in The Hague; he is still welcomed in Western capitals as a “PARTNER in DEMOCRACY.”
The question burns: if Kabila deserves a death sentence for enabling war crimes in Congo, do Bush, Blair and Netanyahu not deserve at least a trial for the rivers of blood on their hands? Or is justice only enforceable when the accused is African or from a weaker continent?
Africa’s Burden and Opportunity.
Africa has been the testing ground for global justice, but it must now become the vanguard of a new movement: justice without borders. If Congo can put its former president on trial, then African states can demand the same standard for Western leaders whose crimes have left scars across continents.
The call should begin at the African Union (AU). Too often, the AU has condemned the ICC for “TARGETING AFRICANS” while failing to articulate an alternative vision of justice. That time is over. Instead of rejecting accountability, Africa must expand it.
Let the AU declare: No leader, whether African, European, American or Asian, is above the law. Let Africa push for reforms at the UN Security Council and the ICC, ensuring that the principle of universal jurisdiction is enforced not selectively applied.
Justice as a Global Right.
International law already provides the tools. The Nuremberg Principles, drafted after World War II, state clearly that individuals (including heads of state) can be held criminally responsible for crimes against humanity, war crimes and aggression. The principle of universal jurisdiction allows any state to prosecute such crimes, regardless of where they occurred. Spain once tried this against Chile’s dictator Augusto Pinochet. Why can’t Africa try the same with Bush, Blair or Netanyahu?
Some may argue that the politics of power make this impossible. After all, America, Britain and Israel wield enormous influence. But history shows that moral courage can topple even empires. The anti-apartheid struggle, led by Africans but supported globally, forced South Africa to its knees. Why should the fight for global accountability be any different?
A Justice Manifesto for the 21st Century.
What Africa must demand is not vengeance, but consistency. If justice is to have meaning, it cannot be the privilege of the weak and the punishment of the poor. It must apply equally to all who abuse power.
If Joseph Kabila faces death for crimes in Congo, then George W. Bush must answer for Iraq.
If Charles Taylor sits in a British cell, then Tony Blair must stand in The Hague.
If Omar al-Bashir is indicted for Darfur, then Benjamin Netanyahu must be indicted for Gaza.
Anything less is not justice; it is legalized hypocrisy.
The Moral Power of Africa’s Voice.
The irony is sharp: Africa, long painted as the continent of impunity, now has an opportunity to be the continent of universal accountability. Kabila’s sentence may mark a turning point. By holding one of its own to account, Congo has opened the door for Africa to say to the world: we will not accept double standards.
As Desmond Tutu once said: “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.” Africa can no longer be neutral. It must be radical in demanding justice not just for Africans, but for Iraqis, Palestinians, Afghans, Yemenis, Libyans and all victims of imperial violence.
Final Thoughts: Justice Must Have No Passport.
Joseph Kabila’s sentencing may be historic, but it will be meaningless if justice remains selective. True justice must have no borders, no passports, no colors. Africa must lead this charge, not as a victim of double standards, but as the champion of equality before the law.
If the world is serious about ending impunity, then it must confront this uncomfortable truth: Kabila is guilty, but so too are Bush, Blair, Netanyahu and others who bathe their hands in the blood of innocents. Until they face accountability, the promise of “NEVER AGAIN” will remain the biggest lie of the 21st century.
STILL ON DELE MOMODU by Chief Femi Fani-Kayode
I saw Dele Momodu’s response to my article on him & was amused.
I tried to be polite & restrained in that write up & I didn’t realise that it would hurt him so deeply. Yet for that I offer no apology.
I said he sounded tired & worne in his interview with Seun Okinbaloye but from his response today it is clear that he is now completely unhinged.
He has blown his gasket & his reaction is rooted more in emotion than it is in logic.
Frankly I feel sorry for him because it is clear that he is fighting a lost cause, he is badly diminished & he is now a shadow of his former self.
For Bobby Dee the glory days are certainly over & I suspect that by 2027 when Tinubu emerges victorious he will crawl back into the hole that he originally came from.
Perhaps at that time he will go back to taking pictures of former Governor Nyesom Wike, the Adeleke’s & other prominent figures for a living & shining their shoes.
Playing clips of things that I said about President Tinubu 11 years ago when I was in the then opposition & when I led the media section of President Jonathan’s presidential campaign organisation will not help him to get rid of the stench of faeces that he has immersed himself in today & neither does it derogate from the fact that he was speaking rubbish when he said Tinubu is a dictator.
Unlike others I will never deny what I have said in the past about Tinubu or anyone else but at least I had the decency & courage to admit that I was wrong & ever since I left the then opposition and joined the APC in 2021 I have not looked back.
Not only did I fight for Tinubu in 2023 during the presidential campaign but I have remained loyal & committed to him & his cause since then and I have no apology for that either.
Unlike Dele I did not benefit from him for close to 40 years, eat from his plate, collect handouts from him, stay in his house, claim to be his brother and yet refuse to support him in achieving his dream of becoming President.
Bobby Dee’s nose is so far up the posterior of those he is now slaving for that he forgot to mention the fact that every single one of them, at some point or the other in their sorry lives & career, have not only changed political parties several times over but have also opposed Tinubu bitterly & even more vehemently than I ever did only to go back & later re-align with him.
I do not begrudge them or blame them for that because that is the nature of politics all over the world.
There are no permanent friends or enemies but only permanent interests and in my view it is in the interest of Nigeria that Tinubu continues the reforms that he started in 2023 after he was elected President.
It is also my view that Nigeria must never fall into the hands of the conglomeration of court jesters, sorry clowns & motely crew of insufferable jokers that Dele is now speaking, slaving & fronting for.
I will still be gentle with my old friend because I have a soft spot for him but if he ever crosses the line with me again I will stop being so restrained.
He does not have the stomach for a real fight because he is vain and thin-skinned. He also has an over- inflated opinion of himself and a huge ego.
These are weaknesses in this game and not strengths and as we get closer to the presidential campaign he will learn this the hard way.
Meanwhile he should stay in his lane otherwise I will give him plenty to write about.
For him to compare Tinubu to Abacha was wrong and if he was anything like the dictator that Dele claims he is both Dele and those he speaks for today would either be dead or in jail.
He should count himself lucky that our President is a democrat and not a monster.
Dele’s lies, duplicity & shameless perfidy have finally been exposed & are as obvious & glaring as his very large stomach.
I advise him to do some press ups & go jogging because unlike before I will no longer remain silent as he & his friends throw mud at our President.
Game on!
(FFK)
society
OWUTU FM 2026 Ramadan Lecture: Sheikh Jamiu Asanbe Urges Muslims to Avoid Showboating in Worship
OWUTU FM 2026 Ramadan Lecture: Sheikh Jamiu Asanbe Urges Muslims to Avoid Showboating in Worship.
The Chief Imam of Agelete Central Mosque, Ikoyi Lagos, Alhaji Jamiu Asanbe, has urged Muslims to remain sincere in their acts of worship and avoid the temptation of seeking public praise for good deeds.
The respected Islamic scholar gave this admonition while delivering a lecture at the OWUTU FM 2026 Ramadan Lecture, held on Saturday, February 28, 2026, in Lagos.
Speaking on the importance of sincerity in Islam, Sheikh Asanbe cautioned Muslim faithful against what he described as “showboating” — the practice of performing charitable acts or religious duties merely to gain recognition or admiration from others.
According to him, every act of worship in Islam must be done purely for the sake of Almighty Allah.
He explained that while acts such as prayer, fasting, and charity are fundamental pillars of faith, their true value lies in the intention behind them.
The cleric therefore encouraged Muslims to remain genuine in their devotion and avoid mixing their faith with the desire for worldly praise or attention.
Sheikh Asanbe also reminded the faithful that the holy month of Ramadan presents a unique opportunity for spiritual renewal. He urged believers to increase acts of generosity, particularly by supporting the needy, vulnerable members of society, and orphans.
Earlier in her remarks, the Convener of the Ramadan Lecture and CEO of OWUTU FM, Hajia Adejoke Muyibat Balogun, encouraged attendees to use the sacred month as a time for reflection, self-improvement, and community development.
She described the lecture theme as carefully selected to promote spirituality, strengthen faith, and encourage peaceful coexistence within the community.
Balogun expressed appreciation to the numerous guests and supporters who attended the event, noting that their presence reflected the strong bond within the community.
She further reaffirmed OWUTU FM’s commitment to sustaining the annual Ramadan Lecture, praying for Allah’s continued guidance and mercy in the years ahead.
The 2026 edition of the Ramadan Lecture attracted dignitaries and representatives from various organisations including Uzamot Communications, Okutex Fabrics, and the Yeye Asiwaju of Ojota Kingdom.
The event also featured engaging activities such as a quiz competition, where winners were presented with gifts. In the spirit of Ramadan, iftar meals were shared with guests, reinforcing the values of unity, generosity, and compassion that define the holy month.
Through initiatives like this, OWUTU FM continues to play a vital role in promoting faith-based dialogue, community engagement, and social harmony.
Tinubu Abroad, Nigeria in Chaos: The Spectacle of Elite Excess
By George Omagbemi Sylvester
“Government officials queue to bid him farewell as he departs, only to rush ahead and line up again to welcome him at his destination; a stark display of misaligned priorities in Nigerian leadership.”
Wednesday, March18, 2026
In a spectacle that has plunged Nigeria’s political class into fresh ignominy, a long line of federal ministers, governors, senators and political hangers‑on queued outside a London hotel this week to welcome President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR upon his arrival in the United Kingdom for a two‑day state visit.
Not only did these government officials send off Mr. Tinubu as he departed Nigeria (a ritual in itself excessive given the scale of pressing national crises) they rushed ahead to London to line the halls of his hotel, applauding and greeting him like conquering heroes arriving on foreign shores. This is how Nigeria’s elites now comport themselves while millions of citizens endure ever‑deepening hardship.
A Travesty of Priorities
Tinubu’s visit to the UK, hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla, is officially billed as an effort to deepen trade relations, attract investment and strengthen bilateral cooperation between Britain and Africa’s most populous nation. While those diplomatic objectives in theory could benefit Nigeria, the optics of an entire political class fawning over a president abroad are unbearably grim against the backdrop of domestic suffering.
According to recent economic analysis, despite macroeconomic adjustments such as ending fuel subsidies and floating the naira, more than 60% of Nigerians still live in poverty and daily hardships are rampant. Security remains a grave concern with violence and banditry destabilising large swathes of the country. Instead of addressing these crises with urgency, Nigeria’s leadership appears fascinated with photo‑ops overseas.
“A System of Self‑Centred Elites”
Critics within Nigeria have not minced words. Political observers describe the spectacle as a display of self‑centred politics divorced from the realities facing ordinary citizens. One observer on social platforms summed up the broader sentiment: “Tinubu represents a system of self‑centred elites (elite consensus over popular will) and this is exactly the performative politics that lines like these embody.”
Dr. Godfrey Mwakikagile, a respected African scholar on post‑colonial governance, has long warned that bad leadership and lack of accountability are Africa’s greatest challenges. “Power in many African states is too centralised and concentrated in the hands of elites who use it to perpetuate themselves at the expense of the public good,” Mwakikagile recently argued; a critique that resonates all the more when ministers fly abroad not to pursue tangible policy but to line up like admirers.
The Cost of Foreign Pageantry
This isn’t the first time Tinubu’s foreign engagements have attracted scrutiny. His administration’s frequent travels (often with large entourages) have drawn criticism for prioritising optics over outcomes, especially when Nigeria’s economy contracts and its people struggle with food inflation and insecurity.
Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has been among the most vocal domestic critics of these priorities, noting that Tinubu’s extensive foreign travel (including to the UK) distracts from urgent national needs and has become a “matter of grave concern.” Obi insists that such actions reveal a leadership more interested in global visibility than domestic wellbeing.
Nigeria Jagajaga!
The phrase “Nigeria jagajaga” (loosely translated as Nigeria being in disarray) has never felt more apt. A nation where ministers greet presidents in plush foreign suites while citizens queue for food and services is a country deeply out of balance.
Instead of being welcomed like dignitaries abroad, ministers and governors should be at home addressing the root causes of Nigeria’s struggles: insecurity that displaces communities and kills livelihoods, an economy that leaves the majority impoverished despite reforms, and the persistent failings of governance that erode public trust.
What Nigerians Deserve
President Tinubu and his entourage should be judged not by the number of ministers who lined up to greet him in London, but by the lives changed back in Nigeria.
As scholars like Mwakikagile and critics like Obi remind us, political leadership must be accountable and grounded in service, not spectacle. Nigeria’s leaders owe the people more than applause at international hotels; they owe them safety, economic opportunity, and genuine progress.
If this nation is ever to break free from the cycle of “jagajaga,” then those in power must demonstrate sincerity, not pageantry; action, not admiration. The lines outside a London hotel are not a testament to leadership; they are a testament to where Nigeria’s priorities have tragically come to rest.
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