Learning of the alleged “relationships” of Africa’s richest Billionaire, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, is not supposed to be a marveling news. Since the beginning of the world, wealthy men (and women alike, to some extent), particularly, struggle with how to control the inordinate desires and pleasures of the flesh. The enormity of this challenge is such that no number of wives can naturally quench the urge. Only highly disciplined and men of unprecedented level of moral codes may manage to put it in check. Again, the effort is mostly appreciated when the man in question has hit good fortune, otherwise, his fidelity would be attributed to his impecuniosity.
One of the most remarkable things about King Solomon was that, not only did he love foreign women, he married 700 wives (of royal birth) and had 300 side-chicks/concubines. (1 Kings 11) Regarded as one of the richest men in history, King Solomon has been an authority both on wisdom and extra-marital affairs. Perhaps, many great men – men of means, influence and affluence – have drawn inspiration from the wisest man that ever lived.
Thus, the big deal is not in the reported exchange by the women of easy virtue on their alleged escapade with Nigeria’s most valued Businessman. Rather, the audacity with which one of them flung what appears to be Dangote’s ‘bumbum’ in the air for the Internet to feed on till the end of time.
While the veracity of their claims remains highly in doubt, what is not in doubt is the fact that Dangote now trends on social media, not based on his wealth or business, but based on the reckless exchange by some women who fear neither God nor man, like the judge in the Gospel of Luke 18:2.
Alhaji Dangote is entitled to all his fundamental rights, including his right to privacy. The lady who allegedly took the picture of our National Treasure and published it to our displeasure, has not shown that Alhaji Dangote indeed consented to his picture being publicly displayed, that is assuming the picture or video is real. The right to privacy is a constitutional right under Nigerian Law. (Section 37) It is equally a universal right. Article 12 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights provides that:
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.
We call on Nigeria’s National Intelligence Agency to collaborate with its foreign counterparts to arrest and deal with those women who sought to denigrate one of the Nation’s prides.
Credits: The post was first published on Stephenlegal.ng by Stephen Azubike, legal practitioner, consultant and social entrepreneur.
