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France moves to end law that punishes women for refusing s£x in marriage

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France is to enshrine in law the end of so-called “conjugal rights” – the notion that marriage means a duty to have sex.

A bill approved on Wednesday in the National Assembly adds a clause to the country’s civil code to make clear that “community of living” does not create an “obligation for sexual relations”.

The proposed law also makes it impossible to use lack of sexual relations as an argument in fault-based divorce.

Though unlikely to have a major impact in the courts, supporters hope the law will help deter marital rape.

“By allowing such a right or duty to persist, we are collectively giving our approval to a system of domination and predation by husband on wife,” said the bill’s sponsor, Green MP Marie-Charlotte Garin.

“Marriage cannot be a bubble in which consent to sex is regarded as definitive and for life.”

The law will erase an ambiguity that has persisted despite there being no explicit mention of “conjugal duty” in any legal text.

Currently, the French civil code defines the duties of marriage as “respect, fidelity, support and assistance,” and it says that couples commit themselves to a “community of living”.

Nowhere in the texts is there any mention of “conjugal” – ie sexual – rights. The origins of that notion lie in medieval church law.

However judges in modern divorce suits have, from time to time, given a broad interpretation to the concept of “community of living” to include sexual relations.

In a famous case in 2019 a woman was found to have withheld sex from her husband for several years, and he was then granted a “fault-based” divorce implying guilt on her part.

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But the woman then took her case to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), which last year condemned France for allowing refusal of sex to be grounds for a fault-based divorce.

This was hailed as an important advance by feminist campaigners.

The ECHR’s decision has made it, in practice, impossible for any French divorce judge to make a similar ruling – which is why the new law is mainly intended as a clarification, with the change unlikely to have a major impact on the courts.

For campaigners, the notion that wives have a “duty” to agree to sex with their husbands is one that persists in parts of society and needs to be confronted.

The Mazan trial of 2024 – where a drugged and unconscious Gisèle Pelicot was repeatedly raped by men invited by her husband – is seen as emblematic. Several defendants said they assumed her consent because of what her husband had told them.

In France, as in most other countries, marital rape is now enshrined in law, where prior to 1990 men could argue that marriage implied consent.

Since November last year the legal definition of rape in France has also been expanded to include the notion of non-consent.

Previously, rape was defined as a sexual act carried out with “violence, constraint, threat or surprise”. Now it is any act where there is no “informed, specific, anterior and revocable” consent. Silence or an absence of reaction do not imply consent, the law says.

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Public officers are stealing Nigeria’s money every minute – EFCC boss

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September 26, 2026

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The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, says public officers steal funds every minute.

Olukoyede spoke in Abuja on Thursday at the 80th birthday celebration of former Attorney-General of the Federation, Kanu Agabi.

He stated that the anti-graft agency receives over 20,000 corruption petitions every year, describing the scale of the theft detailed in many cases as shocking.

“I receive over 20,000 petitions in a year in respect to public corruption, all terrible. What is going on? Like every minute, public officers take money, and if you go through some of our case files you will weep.

“The way people take national resources and Nigerians are victims of these fraudulent activities. And we must come together for once in our lifetime and say no to the activities of some of our leaders,” Olukoyede said.

The EFCC boss noted that some public officers assume office with less than ₦100,000 in their accounts, but within three years, the agency traces millions of dollars to them.

He added that some individuals acquire hundreds of houses while in office, warning that corruption is crippling the nation.

Olukoyede stressed that public officers must be held accountable for their time in office, emphasizing that transparency must remain the guiding standard in public service.

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VIDEO: Police identify officer in viral video saying Obi can never be President

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September 26, 2026

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The Lagos State Police Command has arrested an officer who appeared in a viral video making inappropriate remarks about Peter Obi and Igbo people while travelling on public transport.

The officer who has been identified as INSP. Osumah Frank, was filmed saying Obi or any Igbo person can never become President of Nigeria.

In a statement released today September 25, the command’s spokesperson, SP Abimbola said the command has commenced appropriate disciplinary action against the officer in line with established regulations of the Nigeria Police Force.

Abimbola stated that the statements made by the officer were made in his personal capacity and do not represent the position, views or official disposition of the Lagos State Police Command or the Nigeria Police Force.

She added that the State Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, has reiterated the position of the command that all its personnel are expected to maintain professionalism, civility, discipline and respect for members of the public at all times. She further reaffirmed that wearing the Police uniform comes with a responsibility to uphold the dignity and integrity of the Force, and that the Command will not condone any conduct capable of bringing the Force into disrepute or undermining public confidence in the Police.

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Court rejects suit seeking fresh police investigation into late singer Mohbad’s death

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September 26, 2026

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The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit seeking to compel the Nigeria Police Force to conduct a fresh investigation into the death of Nigerian singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad.

Justice James Omotosho dismissed the case filed by the Registered Trustees of Break the Silence Foundation in a judgment delivered on Thursday, ruling that the foundation lacked the legal capacity to institute the suit.

The judge also described the application as speculative and lacking sufficient merit, noting that the foundation failed to produce the original police investigation report to support its claim that the earlier investigation was inadequate.

Justice Omotosho further cautioned lawyers handling ongoing cases against discussing matters before the court during media interviews or on social media, describing such conduct as professional misconduct.

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