The aftershocks of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal continue to ripple through the world’s most powerful institutions, forcing fresh reckonings from Davos to Cambridge.

In a dramatic leadership shift, Borge Brende, president and CEO of the World Economic Forum (WEF), announced he is stepping down, citing regret over how he handled his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

His departure comes just weeks after the WEF launched an independent investigation into his ties with Epstein, following disclosures from the U.S. Justice Department showing that Brende attended three business dinners with the financier and communicated with him via email and text.

“A Distraction” to Davos

In a statement, Brende described his 8½-year tenure as “profoundly rewarding” but told Norwegian media he did not want the controversy to overshadow the organisation’s mission.

“Like many others, I have felt a great deal of discomfort at being linked to Jeffrey Epstein,” he said, admitting he regretted not exercising greater transparency about their contact.

Though the WEF’s official statement did not mention Epstein directly, text messages released in Justice Department files from 2018–2019 revealed a notably cordial tone. In one exchange, Brende reportedly described Epstein as a “brilliant host” and wrote “missing you Sir” after a dinner attended by former Trump adviser Steve Bannon and a former Norwegian minister.

Their final communication occurred roughly a week before Epstein’s arrest in 2019 on federal sex-trafficking charges.

Epstein had previously pleaded guilty in 2008 to state charges involving prostitution of a minor in a controversial plea deal brokered by then-U.S. Attorney Alexander Acosta. He died in jail in August 2019 while awaiting trial on federal charges. His death was ruled a suicide, though it remains the subject of public scepticism.

The U.S. Justice Department has since released more than three million pages of documents related to Epstein’s network, fuelling renewed scrutiny of prominent figures across politics, academia and finance.

Independent Review Finds “No Additional Concerns”

WEF co-chairs Andre Hoffmann and Larry Fink said an external review of Brende’s relationship with Epstein concluded there were no additional issues beyond those already disclosed.

Still, the reputational damage proved untenable.

WEF Managing Director Alois Zwinggi will serve as interim president while the Board of Trustees searches for a permanent successor.

For an organisation synonymous with elite global networking in Davos, even perceived proximity to Epstein’s orbit carries heavy consequences.

Harvard’s Reckoning

Across the Atlantic, the scandal is also reshaping Harvard’s leadership landscape.

Lawrence H. Summers, former U.S. Treasury secretary and Harvard president emeritus, will retire from teaching at Harvard University at the end of the academic year.

His resignation follows the release of emails by congressional investigators showing that Summers maintained a personal relationship with Epstein long after the financier became a registered sex offender.

The emails revealed deeply personal exchanges, including banter about Summers’s romantic interests. In one 2019 message, Epstein described himself as Summers’s “wingman.” In others, language used in reference to a woman drew sharp criticism.

Summers, who had already stepped back from teaching and public roles in November, said he was “deeply ashamed” and taking “full responsibility” for continuing communication with Epstein.

He has also resigned from policy positions and previously stepped down from the board of OpenAI, which he joined in 2023.

Expanding Fallout at Harvard

Harvard confirmed that Martin A. Nowak, a professor of mathematics and biology with longstanding documented ties to Epstein, has been placed on administrative leave pending further investigation.

The university is conducting a broader review of its historical connections to Epstein, including donations and personal associations. Academics previously linked to Epstein include Harvard professor emeritus Stephen Kosslyn and literature scholar Elisa New.

Although Harvard banned direct donations from Epstein after his 2008 conviction, some academics maintained contact with him after his release from jail in 2009.

A prior university investigation in 2020 referenced Summers only briefly, but the newly released documents have intensified scrutiny over how elite institutions managed their relationships with Epstein despite his criminal record.

The Global Elite and the Epstein Effect

Epstein’s case, marked by a lenient 2008 plea deal, a dramatic 2019 federal arrest and his death in custody, has become a defining scandal of the modern era, exposing uncomfortable intersections of wealth, influence and moral compromise.

For the World Economic Forum, whose annual Davos summit convenes presidents, billionaires and CEOs, reputational credibility is currency.

For Harvard, a pillar of American academia, the controversy cuts to questions of ethics, oversight and accountability.

The emerging pattern is unmistakable: nearly seven years after Epstein’s death, his associations continue to destabilise some of the world’s most powerful institutions.

And as more documents surface, the question facing global elites is no longer whether Epstein’s shadow still looms.

It is who else may find themselves standing in it.

A Maryland man and former employee of the U.S. Embassy in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for sexually assaulting two minor girls while serving overseas.

According to a statement released by the United States Department of Justice, 41-year-old Fode Sitafa Mara was sentenced to life imprisonment following his conviction on multiple serious charges stemming from crimes committed in 2022 and 2023.

The Justice Department stated that prosecutors, a federal jury in the District of Maryland, found Mara guilty after a two-week trial in October 2025. 

He was convicted on four counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a minor, as well as one count each of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor and attempted obstruction of justice.

Mara, a U.S. citizen, was working at the American Embassy in Ouagadougou at the time he carried out the offenses, according to the statement.

Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division described the crimes as particularly disturbing, noting that the defendant abused vulnerable victims while representing the United States abroad.

“The defendant, while representing the U.S. government abroad, violently sexually abused two acutely vulnerable child victims,” Duva said. 

“His crimes were reprehensible. While no sentence could undo the harm he caused, today’s outcome demonstrates that those who abuse children, domestically or abroad, will face significant consequences in the American justice system.”

U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes for the District of Maryland emphasized the government’s commitment to prosecuting offenders who target minors.

“Our message is clear: those who prey on our children will pay a hefty price,” Hayes said.

“Mara targeted and abused two innocent young girls, and now he’ll be behind bars for a long time where he belongs. 

“We’re committed to partnering with our community and law-enforcement partners to ensure that justice is served by relentlessly pursuing and prosecuting predators who commit these deplorable acts.”

The Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), which assisted in the investigation, also reaffirmed its commitment to accountability within U.S. diplomatic missions worldwide.

Deputy Assistant Director George Semertsidis of the DSS Office of Special Investigations said the agency remains dedicated to protecting local communities and maintaining the integrity of American diplomatic facilities.

“We will thoroughly investigate any allegations of criminal conduct by those associated with U.S. diplomatic facilities and work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to bring offenders to justice,” Semertsidis said. 

“This case demonstrates our unwavering commitment to accountability and the protection of the most vulnerable.”

The Justice Department noted that the prosecution reflects U.S. authorities’ ability to pursue and punish crimes committed by American citizens abroad, particularly offenses involving the exploitation of children.

Renewed violence across Northern Nigeria has left communities reeling, with scores killed and dozens abducted in coordinated attacks spanning multiple states within just 72 hours.

The fresh wave of bloodshed comes amid heightened debate over the recent deployment of United States military personnel to support Nigeria’s security architecture, raising urgent questions about whether foreign-backed training efforts can stem a crisis that appears to be deepening.

Mosque Attack in Kebbi

In Kebbi State, gunmen stormed a mosque in the Dadinkowa community of Maiyama Local Government Area on Wednesday night, opening fire during a Qur’anic Tafsir session held alongside Taraweeh prayers.

The Kebbi State Police Command confirmed that five worshippers were killed and three others injured.

Police spokesperson Bashir Usman described the attack as a suspected terrorist reprisal, adding that joint security operatives had been deployed to restore calm and track the perpetrators.

Residents, however, say fear has already taken root.

“They came heavily armed and shot indiscriminately,” one local source said. “People ran in all directions.”

Adamawa: A Governor’s Hometown Hit Again

In Adamawa State, the hometown of Governor Ahmadu Fintiri—Madagali Local Government Area—was attacked for the fourth time in five months.

Local sources said suspected Boko Haram insurgents invaded Kirchinga village around midnight on Tuesday, killing at least 24 people, though official casualty figures are still being compiled.

The Adamawa State Police Command confirmed the attack but declined to give final numbers.

Madagali has now endured assaults on October 1, November 19, December 8, 2025, and most recently February 24, 2026—an alarming pattern that underscores the fragility of security gains in the North-East.

Sokoto and Kwara: Abductions Expand the Frontline

In Sokoto State, suspected bandits raided Rabah Local Government Area under cover of darkness, firing sporadically before abducting several residents. The exact number of victims remains unclear.

The assault came barely a week after gunmen kidnapped 16 people in the same area, reportedly demanding N20 million and three motorcycles as ransom—terms residents described as crippling.

Further south in Kwara State, four members of a single family were abducted on farmland in Babanla community, Ifelodun Local Government Area, after armed men opened fire at dawn.

The chairman of Ifelodun LGA, Femi Yusuf, questioned why residents ventured out early despite security risks—remarks that have sparked criticism among locals who argue that farming is their only means of survival.

Meanwhile, youths under the Coalition of Kwara North Youths staged protests at Government House in Ilorin, alleging that recent attacks in Kaiama LGA claimed between 162 and 200 lives in just two days—figures yet to be officially confirmed.

“Our communities are bleeding,” said coordinator Usman Haruna. “Silence would amount to complicity.”

Plateau and Zamfara: Violence Spreads

In Plateau State, at least 30 people have reportedly been killed in a series of attacks across Barkin Ladi, Riyom and Bassa local government areas over the past week.

Governor Caleb Mutfwang convened an emergency security council meeting in Jos as nine victims of a prior attack were laid to rest in a mass burial.

In Zamfara State, residents of Dan Jibga and Keta communities in Tsafe LGA say armed bandits have effectively laid siege to their towns. Locals told reporters that a bomb detonated between the two communities during a recent security operation, killing and injuring operatives attempting to gain access.

Elsewhere in Kebbi’s Ngaski LGA, bandits reportedly demanded N100 million from residents of Utouno community, threatening mass violence if the ransom is not paid.

The U.S. Factor: Expectations vs. Reality

The spike in violence coincides with the arrival of U.S. military personnel tasked primarily with training and capacity building.

Security analyst and retired Major Muhammad Bashir Galma cautioned against expecting immediate results.

“They are here for training,” he said. “Training involves skills, strategy and possibly technical support. These are processes that take time.”

He emphasised that the U.S. presence is not a direct combat deployment but a long-term effort to enhance Nigeria’s operational capacity.

Even so, the optics are stark: communities are under attack while international assistance is still in its preparatory phase.

A Region at Breaking Point

From mosque shootings to farmland abductions, the attacks reveal a widening geographic spread and evolving tactics among insurgents and bandits.

For many residents, the distinction between insurgency, banditry and communal violence matters less than the immediate reality: survival.

Critics argue that beyond military hardware and foreign partnerships, deeper structural issues persist—intelligence gaps, alleged political interference, weak local policing structures and delayed response times.

While officials urge patience, communities are demanding protection now.

This is because for those burying loved ones or fleeing ancestral homes, the question is no longer whether international training will eventually yield results, but whether Northern Nigeria can withstand the violence long enough to see them.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested and detained Mike Ozekhome (SAN) over his alleged involvement in a disputed United Kingdom property case widely referred to as the “Tali Shani affair.”

TheCable reports that Ozekhome was arrested shortly after a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) high court struck out a forgery charge previously filed against him. He is expected to be charged to court imminently.

Sources indicate that the arrest is separate from a fresh 12-count charge filed by the federal government earlier this week on the same property dispute.

The controversy centres on a property located at 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX. The dispute, filed before the UK First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Land Registration under case number REF/2023/0155, listed Tali Shani as applicant and Ozekhome as respondent. Also named in the broader dispute was the late Jeremiah Useni, a retired lieutenant-general.

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Ozekhome reportedly told the tribunal he received the property as a gift from “Mr Tali Shani” in 2021. However, lawyers representing “Ms Tali Shani” maintained she was the rightful owner. A witness identified as “Mr Tali Shani” testified in Ozekhome’s favour, claiming he held “Powers of Attorney” over the property and had transferred it to him. He asserted ownership dating back to 1993 and said he later appointed Useni as property manager, describing him as an “elder friend and business partner.”

On the opposing side, witnesses for “Ms Tali Shani” tendered documents including an obituary announcement, a National Identification Number card, an ECOWAS passport and other materials to support ownership claims. The tribunal, however, ruled that the documents were fake and ultimately dismissed all claims, concluding that neither “Mr” nor “Ms” Tali Shani existed.

In Nigeria, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had earlier filed a three-count charge before the FCT high court on January 16, accusing Ozekhome of knowingly presenting forged documents, including a Nigerian international passport, during proceedings before the London tribunal. The office of the attorney-general of the federation took over the case on January 26.

At a resumed hearing slated for arraignment, Rotimi Oyedepo, counsel to the AGF, applied to withdraw the charge, telling the court the AGF’s office needed time “to review and consolidate issues involving different investigating agencies in order to strengthen the case.” The presiding judge, Peter Kekemeke, subsequently struck out the charge. Ozekhome was arrested shortly after.

The federal government has now filed a fresh 12-count charge at the FCT high court in Abuja, alleging among other things the use of a fake Nigerian passport. According to the charge sheet, between May 2020 and 2021, Ozekhome, Ponfa Useni (also known as Tali Shani), and the late Jeremiah Useni allegedly made “a false Nigerian International Passport No. A07535463 with the name Tali Shani” purportedly issued by the Nigeria Immigration Service to support a claim over the London property.

The charge alleges conspiracy, forgery, personation and related offences under various provisions of the Penal Code Law 2009. One count states that the defendants “conspired amongst yourselves to use as genuine a false Nigerian International Passport No. A07535463 with the name Tali Shani to facilitate your claim to a property located at No. 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2, United Kingdom.”

The federal government further alleges that Ponfa Useni falsely personated a fictitious individual named Tali Shani and executed a Power of Attorney in that assumed capacity, while Ozekhome allegedly abetted the act by executing documents tied to the disputed property. The matter is expected to proceed before the FCT high court as the new charges move forward.

The African Bar Association (AfBA) has officially confirmed that its 2026 Annual Conference will take place in Sal, Cape Verde, from September 20–24, 2026—setting the stage for one of the continent’s most anticipated legal gatherings.

In preparation for the high-profile event, AfBA President High Chief Ibrahim Eddy Mark and Executive Director Rudolf Ezeani undertook a fact-finding and inspection visit to Sal from February 22–25, 2026, to assess the island’s readiness to host hundreds of legal professionals from across Africa and beyond.

The delegation was warmly received by the leadership of the Cape Verdean Bar Association, including its President Julio Caeser Martins, Vice President Oliver Araujo, and Bar members Manuel Pina and Vania Cuhna.

During the visit, the AfBA team toured selected hotels and conference facilities earmarked for the event, evaluating logistics, accommodation standards, security arrangements and conference infrastructure. The delegation was later hosted to a dinner in honour of the forthcoming continental gathering.

Why Sal?

According to AfBA officials, the findings strongly affirm Cape Verde’s capacity to host a conference of AfBA’s scale and prestige. Beyond its infrastructure, Sal offers a compelling blend of accessibility, hospitality and scenic appeal.

With its expansive Atlantic coastline, pristine beaches and growing reputation as a premier tourism and business destination, Sal provides a backdrop that combines professional engagement with cultural and recreational experiences.

The 2026 Annual Conference is expected to draw leading jurists, senior advocates, policymakers and legal scholars to deliberate on pressing continental and global issues affecting law, governance and justice systems in Africa.

For the African Bar Association, the choice of Sal signals both strategic vision and symbolic intent—bringing Africa’s legal community together in a setting that reflects dynamism, unity and forward-looking leadership.

As the countdown to September 2026 begins, all eyes now turn to Cape Verde—where Africa’s legal minds will gather, not just to meet, but to shape the future of justice on the continent.

In a stunning ruling that has sent shockwaves through Pakistan’s legal community, the Islamabad High Court has removed one of its own judges after finding that he held a fraudulent law degree—declaring his appointment “void ab initio,” or legally invalid from the start.

In a detailed 116-page judgment issued on February 23, the court ousted Justice Tariq Mahmood Jahangiri, who had been serving on the bench since December 2020. He had already been barred from performing judicial functions in September last year amid growing questions about his credentials.

The court’s findings were blunt: Jahangiri’s educational records were fraudulent, tainted by impersonation, exam malpractice and attempts to evade disciplinary sanctions.

The Fraud Allegations

According to reporting by Pakistan’s leading daily Dawn, the High Court relied on original records provided by the Registrar of the University of Karachi.

The judgment states that Jahangiri first sat for his law examinations in 1988 using a fake enrolment number. He was allegedly caught cheating and subsequently banned by the university in 1989 for three years.

Rather than serving the ban, the court found that he returned the following year under a modified name— “Tariq Jahangiri”—and used an enrolment number assigned to another student, Imtiaz Ahmed.

In a further blow to his defence, the principal of Government Islamia Law College reportedly told the court that Jahangiri “was never admitted” to the institution at all.

“Dilatory Tactics”

The bench noted that, despite multiple opportunities to produce original academic documents and submit a written response, Jahangiri failed to do so.

Instead, he filed applications seeking the formation of a full bench, the recusal of the chief justice and an indefinite adjournment, citing related proceedings before the Sindh High Court.

The Islamabad High Court dismissed these moves as “dilatory tactics,” holding that once the petitioner produced documentary evidence, the burden shifted to Jahangiri to prove the authenticity of his law qualifications.

His failure to provide credible evidence, the court said, warranted an adverse inference.

Legal Fallout

By declaring his law degree void from the beginning, the court effectively ruled that his eligibility to practice law, and by extension his appointment as a High Court judge, was legally non-existent.

The decision raises urgent questions about judicial vetting processes and the integrity of appointments to Pakistan’s higher judiciary.

Legal analysts say the ruling could have ripple effects, particularly if litigants challenge past decisions in cases where Jahangiri presided.

For now, the message from the Islamabad High Court is unequivocal: the authority to interpret the law cannot rest on fraudulent credentials.

And in one of the most dramatic judicial reckonings in recent memory, the bench has drawn a hard line between judicial power and academic deceit.