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.
society
Stop Means Stop”: Legal Experts Warn Ignoring ‘Stop’ During Intimate Acts Can Be Criminally Punishable
“Stop Means Stop”: Legal Experts Warn Ignoring ‘Stop’ During Intimate Acts Can Be Criminally Punishable
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG
“Grounded in international law and consent principles, legal authorities stress that continuing sexual activity after a partner withdraws consent may constitute sexual assault and lead to imprisonment.”
A growing body of legal interpretation and expert opinion reaffirm that consent in intimate encounters is not a one-off event but an ongoing requirement; withdrawn at any time by either participant. Legal practitioners and rights advocates are increasingly warning that if one partner clearly says “stop” during sexual activity and the other continues, this conduct can constitute a criminal offence with significant penalties, including imprisonment.
Consent must be “a voluntary agreement to engage in the sexual activity in question,” and crucially can be revoked at any stage. Once a partner expresses withdrawal of consent (by words like “stop” or by unmistakable conduct) the other party is legally obligated to cease all activity immediately. Failure to respect this is widely recognised in multiple legal jurisdictions as sexual assault or rape.
Professor Deborah Rhode, a prominent authority on legal ethics, has stated: “Respect for autonomy and bodily integrity lies at the core of consent law. Ignoring a partner’s withdrawal of consent undermines basic personal freedoms and is treated as a serious offence in criminal law.”
According to experts, this legal principle is not limited to strangers but applies equally to long-term partners and spouses. The Criminal Code in many countries explicitly rejects implied or blanket consent based on relationship status.
Human rights lawyer Amal Clooney has similarly emphasised that clear communication and mutual agreement are essential, and that “once consent is withdrawn, any continued sexual activity crosses the line into criminal conduct.”
This means that in places where consent law is well-established, ignoring an explicit “stop” can lead to charges of sexual assault, with courts interpreting such conduct as a violation of an individual’s autonomy and dignity.
The issue has gained media and legal attention in recent years across numerous jurisdictions (including Canada, parts of Europe, and reform discussions in U.S. states) as courts and legislatures clarify that sexual consent is continuous and revocable at any time. Although no globally consolidated database exists of individual cases tied specifically to a news report on this warning, reputable legal frameworks consistently reinforce that continuing after “stop” is unlawful.
The subject engages legal scholars, criminal law practitioners, human rights experts, and statutory bodies advocating sexual violence prevention. Law enforcement agencies and prosecutors may pursue charges when clear evidence shows that consent was withdrawn and ignored.
In practice, consent frameworks require that the person initiating or continuing sexual activity take reasonable steps to ensure ongoing affirmation of willingness. Silence, passive behaviour, or failure to stop when asked cannot substitute for ongoing consent.
In summary, the legal maxim is clear: verbal or unambiguous withdrawal of consent must be respected. Ignoring it shifts the encounter from consensual to criminal, potentially resulting in serious legal consequences including imprisonment.
Lagos Family Property Dispute Turns Violent After Death of Chief Omotayo Ojo
By Ifeoma Ikem
A festering family dispute over property has escalated into a series of violent attacks in Lagos, leaving residents of a contested apartment in fear for their safety.
Mrs. Omotayo-Ojo-Alolagbe (Nee Omotayo-Ojo) the third child and first daughter of the late Omotayo Ojo, has alleged repeated assaults and destruction of property by her siblings from her father’s other marriages.
According to her account, hostility against her began while her father was still alive, allegedly fueled by the affection and support he showed her. She claimed that tensions worsened after his death in 2019.
Mrs. Alolagbe stated that her late father had given her a particular apartment during his lifetime, assuring her she would not suffer hardship, especially after her husband left the marriage. She said the property became her primary source of livelihood and shelter.
However, she alleged that her siblings had sold off several other family properties and were determined to dispossess her of the apartment allocated to her by their father.
The dispute reportedly turned violent on Nov. 15, 2025, when unknown persons allegedly attacked the building. She said the incident prompted her to petition the Chief Judge of Lagos State and the Commissioner of Police.
Despite the pending legal proceedings, she alleged that another attack occurred on Jan. 21, 2026. During that incident, parts of the building were vandalised, including the walkway and the main gate, which was reportedly removed.
A third attack was said to have taken place on Feb.18, 2026, during which the roof, gates, and sections of the walkway were allegedly dismantled. Residents were reportedly assaulted, and some were allegedly forced to part with money under duress.
Tenants in the apartment complex are said to be living in fear amid the repeated invasions, expressing concern over their safety and uncertainty about further violence.
Mrs. Alolagbe alleged that the attacks were led by a man identified as Mr. Alliu, popularly known as aka “Champion,” whom she described as a political thug. She claimed he arrived with a group of about 50 men, allegedly brandishing weapons and breaking bottles to intimidate residents.
She further alleged that the group boasted of connections with senior police officers, politicians in Lagos State, and even the presidency, claiming they were untouchable.
According to her, some arrests were initially made following the incidents, but the suspects were later released. She expressed concern that the alleged perpetrators continue to threaten her, making it difficult for her to move freely.
She also disclosed that during a meeting on Feb. 23, 2026, an Area Commander reportedly told her that little could be done because the matter was already before a court of law.
The development has raised concerns about the enforcement of law and order in civil disputes that degenerate into violence, particularly when court cases are pending.
As tensions persist, residents and observers are calling on relevant authorities to ensure the safety of lives and properties ,while allowing the courts to determine ownership and bring lasting resolution to the dispute.
Adron Homes Introduces Special Ramadan Offer with Discounts and Gift Rewards
As the holy month of Ramadan inspires reflection, sacrifice, and generosity, Adron Homes and Properties Limited has unveiled its special Ramadan Promo, encouraging families, investors, and aspiring homeowners to move beyond seasonal gestures and embrace property ownership as a lasting investment in their future.
The company stated that the Ramadan campaign, running from January 20th to April 6th, 2026, is designed to help Nigerians build long-term value and stability through accessible real estate opportunities. The initiative offers generous discounts, flexible payment structures, and meaningful Ramadan-themed gifts across its estates and housing projects nationwide.
Under the promo structure, clients enjoy a 30% discount on land purchases alongside a convenient 36-month flexible payment plan, making ownership more affordable and stress-free.
In the spirit of the season, the company has also attached thoughtful rewards to qualifying payments. Clients who pay ₦200,000 receive a Provision Hamper to support their household during the fasting period, while those who pay ₦400,000 receive an Automated Prayer Mat to enhance their spiritual experience throughout Ramadan.
According to the company, the Ramadan Promo reflects its commitment to aligning lifestyle, faith, and financial growth, enabling Nigerians at home and in the diaspora to secure appreciating assets while observing a season centered on discipline and forward planning.
Reiterating its dedication to secure land titles, prime locations, and affordable pricing, Adron Homes urged prospective buyers to take advantage of the limited-time Ramadan campaign to build a future grounded in stability, prosperity, and generational wealth.
This promo covers estates located in Lagos, Shimawa, Sagamu, Atan–Ota, Papalanto, Abeokuta, Ibadan, Osun, Ekiti, Abuja, Nasarawa, and Niger states.
As Ramadan calls for purposeful living and wise decisions, Adron Homes is redefining the season, transforming reflection into investment and faith into a lasting legacy.
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